Unit 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Ethics in Sports ……………………………………………………. 1Integrity …………………………………………………………….1Trustworthiness …………………………………………………….1Honesty ……………………………………………………………. 2Loyalty …………………………………………………………….. 2Sportsmanship ……………………………………………………...2Profession of Coaching …………………………………………….3Summary ………………………………………………………....... 3Issues to Consider ……………………………………………......... 3

ETHICS IN SPORTS

Ethics is generally defined as a combination of behaviors and judgments which reflect an individual’s beliefs, attitudes, values, and motives. Basically, ethics is a way of life. It is a blueprint of rules by which people conduct their daily activities. Ethics should be demonstrated in all areas of life, including sport.

A coach is always viewed as a leader. In coaching, effective leadership is exhibited by a strong commitment to integrity, trustworthiness, honesty, and loyalty. Coaches who are value-based command a sense of respect and regard. As a leader, a coach must serve as a model through a commitment to a set of core values which define the ethical fabric of that coach.

Hall of Famer and former UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden, articulated the need to have core values when he said, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

The purpose of this unit is to provide a brief examination of the important elements of ethical behavior.

A. IntegrityB. TrustworthinessC. HonestyD. Loyalty

INTEGRITY

Integrity is defined as having an unwavering adherence to one’s principles and to ethical standards. Keeping one’s word and agreements is fundamental to exhibiting integrity. A coach with integrity is known for living by the standards that are set. A coach as leader says and does what must be said and done, not simply what others may want to hear or do.

Among the more common synonyms for integrity are virtue, honor, and morality. More simply stated, leaders with integrity are strongly committed to doing what they know is right. Not surprisingly, a coach/leader with integrity is trusted.

In playing or coaching sports, individuals will make mistakes. Athletic teams with integrity have players and coaches who take personal responsibility for individual mistakes in order to avoid blaming others. Such accountability is a sign of respect for the game and for the opponents. It is therefore a direct reflection of the team’s integrity when individuals take responsibility for their own actions.

TRUSTWORTHINESS

Value-based leaders tell the truth at all times, avoid lying under any circumstances, and keep their commitments, both verbal and implied. In short, they are trustworthy. Coaches who are trustworthy inspire trust in their followers. They realize if they don’t do what they say they will

do, that trust will diminish. Players want coaches they can trust; coaches in whom they can believe.

Trustworthiness involves affirmative answers to such basic questions as:

“Can I count on you?” “Will you keep your word?”“Are you going to do what you say you are going to do?”

As with integrity, coaches who are trustworthy instill a sense of accountability among their players and assistant coaches.

Effective coaches spend a great deal of time and energy in establishing a trusting atmosphere. Coaches who lead by encouragement as opposed to criticism, fear, or blame and who create open relationships with those with whom they interact, build that trusting atmosphere.

It is trustworthiness that is the basis for a trusting atmosphere and helps make every contact less constrained, less stressful, and more productive. It facilitates a spirit of cooperation, it elevates the basic level of cordiality and satisfaction among those involved, and it inspires people to perform at their maximum levels. And, it is all based on trustworthiness.

HONESTY

Similar to trustworthiness and integrity, honesty must be a basic element of a coach’s ethical make-up, and it must also be a two-way street. In a simple phrase, “honesty is the consistent application and display of integrity and trustworthiness.” Coaches must be honest with their players and, at all times, must serve as prime examples of integrity and trustworthiness. If coaches fail to respond to, or, they overlook a dishonest act, they are actually condoning it.

LOYALTY

At the center of the foundation of John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success is loyalty. According to Wooden, loyalty to oneself, one’s principles, and one’s strongest convictions enhances the efforts in reaching one’s true potential. Being loyal involves refusing to compromise values for personal advantage. As such, loyalty can have a very positive impact on a coach’s behavior. As Wooden wrote, “I don’t see how anyone can truly make the most of his or her abilities without expressing loyalty at all times to the people, institutions, and principles that are important in one’s life.” When examining great sport teams, it is not surprising that loyalty is found to be a catalyst for inspired performance.

Coaches inspire genuine loyalty. The bottom line: in coaching, loyalty is a two-way street, and not a bottom-up process.

SPORTSMANSHIP

A coach’s commitment to integrity, trustworthiness, honesty, and loyalty provide the foundation to instruct the various aspects of sportsmanship. Coaches need to consider the following:

Identify the most common areas of their sport where unsportsmanlike behavior can occur. How should coaches expect their athletes to respond (e.g., what are the correct responses,

what is unacceptable, and what are the consequences for those actions)? Make a point to identify, practice, and reward positive sportsmanship behaviors.

THE PROFESSION OF COACHING

The profession of coaching is a privilege that comes with responsibility. Every sport participant deserves a quality athletic experience. Coaching provides a good forum for teaching lessons that will last longer than any physical skill or undefeated season.

Additionally, a coach will have opportunities to enrich athletes’ lives by being humble, exhibiting confidence, and demonstrating appropriate behaviors and actions. A value-based approach to life and to the profession of coaching serves the coach well, but what is more, it serves the athletes better.

SUMMARY

Coaches with a firm foundation in ethical behavior are role models for athletes and coaches alike. Unfortunately, in today’s world of sport, winning has increasingly become the measure of quality coaching. Winning “at all costs” diminishes the value of sportsmanship and directly influences ethical behavior. Coaches as leaders must therefore have other measures in place to help athletes develop:

Integrity Trustworthiness Honesty Loyalty

ISSUES TO CONSIDER

1. Residency rules for youth sport teams are quite common and exist for a variety of reasons. A rule in a local youth sport soccer league states that athletes must join the team within a geographic area that is determined by where the athlete lives.

Jessica is a 9-year-old who has been playing soccer for two years on the same team. Lastspring her family moved to another town about ten miles away. According to leaguerules, she must join the soccer team in her new area. Jessica is not happy about this since all her friends are on her old team.

Jessica’s father is thinking of ignoring the rule by just signing her up for her old team and giving the family’s old address as her residence.

Consider the ethical values or principles involved in this scenario. How would you discuss this with Jessica’s father? What do you think he should do? Under what circumstances can breaking a rule be an ethical choice?

2. The use of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) in sport is being reported more and more frequently in the media. We know, of course, that elite athletes are not the only ones using PEDs, they're just the ones most likely to be tested and, in the case of a positive test, the ones most likely to be reported in the media.

But what about PED use among younger athletes? There too (although we don't hear as much about them as we do elite or professional athletes), enhanced performances are happening with more frequency among college and high school competitors.

Consider the following:

Should athletes ever be allowed to use a drug to gain an advantage in sport? What role does gaining an advantage play in competing fairly and seeking excellence?

What do you think is causing this increased use of PEDs? What ethical values are in play when an athlete decides to use a drug to enhance sport performance?

3. After playing 6 years of youth basketball, Brad was sure he would make the cut on his high school team as a sophomore. During the three days of tryouts, it was clear that Brad was facing stiff competition as 50 boys tried out for 20 slots. When Brad asked why he was not selected, the coach told him that he was not good enough to play high school basketball.

Should high school coaches cut athletes? Is it ethical or unethical? Why or why not?

Should schools provide junior varsity teams for those who are interested in competing? Why or why not?