| About RTG
"Respect the Game" is not telling you to behave in a
"sporting" manner, whatever that might be. It's not about telling you what
to do at all.
"Respect the Game": is just a reminder of what you already
know: high school athletics is important and valuable.
As such, it's worthy of respect. And when people involved in
high school sports treat each other badly, disrupt games, or generally behave in a manner
unworthy of the game itself, they are devaluing what you, and all of us, care so much
about.
When you remember this, you don't need anyone else to tell you how to
behave. You'll know.
With courtesy, dignity, and pride.
Program Creation
After initiating a similar program in another state, Waste Management contacted
the OHSAA to discuss the issue of sportsmanship and what they could do to help. We
then enlisted the assistance of the OHSAA Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity Committee,
who provided a clear direction and potential program elements. At their suggestion,
we included students from around the state by way of a contest to create a name and logo
for the new program. The 40 outstanding entries we received showed us we needed to
do our homework in order to create a program that truly encompasses the concept of
sportsmanship.
We then enlisted the help of student-athletes, coaches, officials and
administrators in a series of focus groups to discuss the issues and provide feedback on a
variety of proposed campaigns. From teamwork, we have created the "Respect the
Game" campaign.
Many people were involved in creating the "Respect the Game"
progam. We would like especially to thank:
Waste Management with special thanks to Rob Smith
and Kathy Trent for all their support and hard work.
Clark Kellogg, Archie Griffin, and Katie
Smith, for their committment to sportsmanship and help in making our video PSA's
great! (click here to see the video PSA's)
Tom Hamilton, Marty Brennaman, Katie Smith, and Clark
Kellogg for their high-powered audio announcements for all competitions. (click
here for the audio tracks)
Our student "focus group" participants:
Nick Dutro (Calvert High School); Mia Fiegelist (Hilliard Davidson High School); Pat
LaMonica (Dublin Coffman High School); Bryan Morosky and Amy Marotta (Columbus Academy);
Jeremy Washington (Briggs High School). Thanks for taking the time and telling the
truth!
Our coaches, officials, and administrators "focus
group" participants: Barry Bay (Hilliard Darby High School); Amanda Harding;
Karla Pinson (formerly at Independence High School); April Ross (Briggs High School); Jeff
Sheppard (South Urban Academy); Scott Williams (Marion-Franklin High School); and Henry
Zaborniak Jr. (OHSAA). Your insights and experience were invaluable.
The students, coaches and administrators of DeSales High
School, Eastmoor Academy, and Hilliard Davidson High School for
their patience, hard work and acting skills as participants in the video PSA's and poster
photography. You were great!
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