Sportsmanship is believed to be an integral aspect of fair play in sport. However, many people involved with athletics, including athletes, coaches, and spectators are questioning whether sportsmanship is in a state of decline.  This concern has caused Major League Baseball, the NBA, the NFL, the NHL, and the US Olympic Committee to form the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance.  The goal of this alliance is to promote citizenship through sportsmanship.  The following web pages discuss some of the main concerns about the conduct occurring in sports today, as well as the causes of the behavior, the reactions of members of the athletic community, and tips to improve the behavior of good sportsmanship in future competitions.

 The changing face of fair play  (http://espnet.sportszone.com/editors/gen/features/sportsmanship/index1.html)
 This web page asks today's professional athletes if they believe that winning is the only important part of sports in the '90's.  This age has connections to the Town Meeting ESPN held about sportsmanship, as well as a link to an article on Christy Mattewson, "the most admired athlete in history".

Sportsmanship alive and well  (http://espnet.sportszone.com/editors/gen/features/sportsmanship/farrey.html)
This web site article focuses on the idea that sportsmanship is not in a state of decline.  Links to related articles, including "Fair play losing its appeal," are available at this site.

Ethics, sportsmanship: Sides of the same coin  (http://www.ncaa.org/news/960722/comment.html)
This web page editorial entitled "Ethics, sportsmanship:  Sides of the same coin" discusses the concept that the ethical dimension of sport can not be escaped; sportsmanship is integral to fair play.

Panel of athletes debates role of sportsmanship in today's athletics on ESPN
(http://www.detnews.com/1997/sports/9711/05/11050212.htm)
This web site is an article entitled "Panel of athletes debates role of sportsmanship in today's athletics on ESPN".  A "star-studded panel of athletes, coaches and sports officials" responded to the question of sportsmanship in today's athletics.

A question of sportmanship  (http://www.uwire.com/sports/97/11/ts11209703.chtml)
This web page discusses with NCAA athletes and coaches at the University of Arizona their opinions on the amount of sportsmanship that occurs in a variety of sports.

UIL 1996-97 Sportsmanship Manual  (http://www.utexas.edu/ftp/depts/uil/ath/sports/index.html)
This web site is a sportsmanship manual that contains good sportsmanship ideas that can be applied to any level of competition.

Sportsmanship(http://www.chre.vt.edu/~/rstratto/CYSarchive/AthletesJan97.html)
This web site discusses the importance of sportsmanship in youth athletics, including ways to improve fair play.  A link to National Sportsmanship Day can be found at this site.

Sportsmanship  (http://www.sunbeltsports.org/sbcsports/baseball/blank.htm)
This web link discusses the importance of sportsmanship and the ways in which the Sun Belt is improving sportsmanship through its participating institutions.

NBA needs NCAA's zero tolerance rule for bad guys  (http://www.sunherald.com/sports/docs/rick1109.htm)
This web link discusses why the NBA needs the same zero tolerance rules that the NCAA has regarding poor sportsmanship.
 

Additions submitted by Adam LaRue, Fall, 1998:

Sportsmanship:  sportsmanship in the dog show arena   (http://www.cyberpet.com/cyberdog/articles/general/sportman.htm)
this site offers a look at sportsmanship in the competitive arena but non-athletic competition.

Online Sportsmanship   (http://www.imgmagazine.com/issues/vol5_issue7/p7.html)
a continuously updated source on current issues involving sportsmanship"
 
 

Return to class readings page:  Kinesiology 493: Philosophy of Kinesiology