High School Sports Ethics Case Study

As a high school athletic director, I recognize the importance of high school sports for athletes, their parents and the community. This is the moment that the athlete can demonstrate their skill and hopefully get recognized by the college of their dream. But it is also a time to develop and improve values.
There is an excitement and responsibility the instant an athlete dons his or her uniform. A unity that bonds these athletes together and a chance to imitate their idols. The possibilities are limitless with positive memories to be made, although as a coach we are also aware of the negative moments.
Poor sportsmanship should not be simplified in any way by athletes, parents, the community and the institution. It should not be tolerated because there is so much more from our athletes to promote. Our athletes are expected to develop the values their parents have instilled in them and to use them on …show more content…
The parents. Before we can begin to develop the moral values of our athletes we rely on the parents who are, respectfully, their first coaches. You are the first people they look up to; their role models. You teach them the importance of competition, citizenship, sportsmanship and value. As coaches, we then take that and build on it. Coaches come and go, but as parents you are their constant, you influence them and along with other parents, create a community that encourages them to be their best.
Positive role models are the pillars on which an athletes can build character. When an athlete sees their role model effortlessly being truthful, loyal, and respectful, they want to imitate that. If a coach acts respectful to an official during what can be perceived as a bad call, an athlete will know that is the way they also should act. Same can be said for parents in the stands. If athletes see that a coach is respectful to an official or a disruptive parent in the stands, they will not feel that they too can be