OHSAA Sportsmanship

Hazing Prevention and Recognition

Hazing: It is the right of a student who is participating in high school athletics to be safe and free from humiliation and intimidation. The following information is what you need to know about recognizing and preventing hazing in your school. Defining hazing. Who is hazed? The prevalence of hazing. But doesn't hazing make students feel part of a group? Is there a law against hazing? What can schools do to prevent hazing? Other resources. Does your school have an anti-hazing policy? Hazing is not limited to sports. Click to read cases from around the country and ask yourself "Are you prepared and how will you respond?"

OHSAA Sportsmanship Memo

As we prepare for the upcoming seasons, the OHSAA wants to emphasize to each coach, school administrator, parent/spectator and contest official the importance of your leadership role in sportsmanship, ethics and integrity.The professional manner in which you conduct yourself prior to, during and following a contest unquestionably impacts the behavior of everyone involved.

The OHSAA has joined the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) in its quest to improve sportsmanship, ethics and integrity.We are involved in an ongoing campaign in every sport to do just that. To the left is a link to the mission statement of the NFHS concerning sportsmanship, ethics and integrity. Please take the time to read and digest this statement and then carefully consider your impact upon the others.

Thank you and have a great season.

BE A SPORT!

Athletes Fair Play Code

1. I will participate because I want to, not just because my parents or coaches want me to.

2. I will play by the rules and in the spirit of the game.

3. I will control my temper since fighting and disrespect can spoil the activity for everyone.

4. I will respect my opponents.

5. I will do my best to try to be a true team player.

6. I will remember that winning isn’t everything. Having fun, improving my skills, making friends and doing my best are also important.

7. I will acknowledge all good plays or performances by both my teammates and my opponents.

8. I will remember that coaches and officials are there to help me. I will accept their decisions, show them respect and understand they have given their time to be with me.

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Coaches Fair Play Code

1. I will be reasonable when scheduling games and practices, remembering that young people have other interests and obligations.

2. I will teach my athletes to play fairly and to respect the rules, officials and opponents.

3. I will ensure that all athletes get equal instruction, support and opportunities.

4. I will not ridicule my athletes for making mistakes or performing poorly. I will remember that young people play to have fun and must be encouraged to have confidence in themselves.

5. I will remember that young people need a coach they can respect. I will be generous with praise and set a good example.

6. I will make sure that equipment and facilities are safe and match the athletes’ ages and abilities.

7. I will obtain proper training and continue to upgrade my coaching skills.

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Fans Fair Play Code

1. I will be remember that young people play sports for THEIR enjoyment, not to entertain me.

2. I will not have unrealistic expectations and will understand that doing one’s best is as important as winning. I understand that ridiculing an athlete for making a mistake is not acceptable behavior.

3. I will respect the official’s decisions and will encourage all participants to do the same.

4. I will respect and show appreciation for the coaches and understand that they have given their time to provide sport activities for our young people.

5. I will encourage athletes and coaches to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.

6. I will show respect for my team’s opponents because I realize there would be no game without them.

7. I will not use bad language and will not harass athletes, coaches, officials or other spectators.

8. I will always show good sportsmanship since young people learn best by example.

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Parents Role in Interscholatic Athletics

Communicating With Your Children

Make sure your children know that win or lose, scared or heroic, you love them, appreciate their efforts and are not disappointed in them. This will allow them to do their best without fear of failure. Be the person in their life they can look to for constant positive reinforcement.
Try your best to be completely honest about your child’s athletic ability, competitive attitude, sportsmanship and actual skill level.
Be helpful but don’t coach them. It’s tough not to, but it is a lot tougher for the child to be flooded with advice and critical instruction.
Teach them to enjoy the thrill of competition, to be “out there trying,” to be working to improve their skills and attitudes. Help them develop the feeling for competing, for trying hard, for having fun.
Try not to relive your athletic life through your child in a way that creates pressure. You were frightened, backed off at times and were not always heroic. Athletic children need their parents, so do not withdraw. There is a thinking, feeling, sensitive, free spirit in that uniform who needs a lot of understanding, especially when their world turns bad. If they are comfortable with you win or lose, then they are on their way to maximum enjoyment.
Don’t compete with the coach. If your child is receiving mixed messages from two different authority figures, he or she will likely become disenchanted.
Don’t compare the skill, courage or attitude of your child with other members of the team.
Get to know the coach(es). Then you can be assured that his or her philosophy, attitudes, ethics and knowledge are such that you are happy to have your child under his or her leadership.
Always remember that children tend to exaggerate, both when praised and when criticized. Temper your reaction and investigate before overreacting.
Make a point of understanding courage and the fact that it is relative. Some of us climb mountains and are afraid to fly. Some of us will fly but turn to jelly if a bee approaches. Everyone is frightened in certain areas. Explain that courage is not the absence of fear, but a means of doing something in spite of fear and discomfort.
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Communicating With The Coach

Communication You Should Expect From Your Child’s Coach

Philosophy of the coach
Expectations the coach has for your child as well as all players on the squad
Locations and times of all practices and contests
Team requirements (fees, special equipment, off-season conditioning)
Procedure should your child be injured
Discipline that results in the denial of your child’s participation

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Communication Coaches Expect From Parents

Concerns expressed directly to the coach
Notification of any schedule conflicts well in advance
Specific concerns in regard to a coach’s philosophy and/or expectations
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Appropriate Concerns To Discuss With Coaches

The treatment of your child, mentally and physically
Ways to help your child improve
Concerns about your child’s behavior
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Issues Not Appropriate To Discuss With Coaches

Playing time
Team strategy
Play calling
Other student-athletes
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Appropriate Procedures For Discussing Concerns with Coaches

Call to set up an appointment with the coach (contact the athletic administrator to set up the meeting if unable to reach the head coach)
Do not confront a coach before or after a contest or practice (these can be emotional times for all parties involved and do not promote resolution)

If The Meeting With The Coach Did Not Provide A Satisfactory Resolution

Call to set up an appointment with the athletic administrator or activities director
Determine the appropriate next step at this meeting
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OHSAA Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Committee

The following awards are presented annually by the Ohio High School Athletiic Association. They are project of the OHSAA Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Committee.

School Award

The Harold A. Meyer Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award is described in the next section below.

Student Awards

Each member high school and 7th-8th grade school can present the Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award to one male and one female student who demonstates outstanding traits of sportsmanship. The students are selected by the local schools with the certificates presented as a part of the school’s recognition programs.

Ethics and Integrity Award

This adult award is presented to an Ohioan who has displayed outstanding traits of ethical behavior and integrity in the performance of duties and responsibilities. The nominee should be serving or have served in a position of responsibility in which the individual is a role model for others. The SEI Committee recommends the individual to the OHSAA Board of Control. A crystal award is presented sented to the recipient at the OHSAA Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Banquet.

Past winners have been Robert Kanaby, executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations; Fred Dafler, former associate commissioner of the Ohio High School Athletic Association; Chester Roush, a teacher, coach and school administrator in Ohio for 35 years; former U.S. Senator John H. Glenn Jr., whose distinguised career has included military service, the U.S. space program, corporate management and local and national politics; Archie Griffin, associate director of athletics at The Ohio State University, where he became the only football player in history to win the Heisman Trophy twice; Jimmy Crum, who was sports director at WCMH-TV, channel 4, in Columbus for 41 years; Wayne Embry, an NBA basketball executive and a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; Jo Ann Davidson, the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1995 through 2000; Bill Hosket, a former baskeball standout who is successful in business and broadcasting; and Larry Kehres, Mount Union College Head Football Coach of 17 years .

Coaches and Allied Professional Organizations Award

Each of the 22 OHSAA sanctioned sports and four allied professional organizations can recognize and honor one of their members with an OHSAA Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award. The recipients are selected by the directors or executive committee of the respective organizations. Individuals selected should reflect the values of sportsmanship, ethics and integrity in all their professional responsibilties. These awards are presented at state tournaments, state clinics or banquets.

State/Local School Award

This certificate may be presented to a coach, teacher, administrator, booster or supporter of the local school program. It is an opportunity for every high school in Ohio to honor one of their own with a prestigious state award for exemplary contribution and service. This award is presented in the local school at an athletic contest or an appropriate recognition program.

Media Service Award

The OHSAA District Athletic Boards annually select two winners from their district — one from the print media and one from the broadcast media — or 12 statewide recipients. It is an opportunity for the OHSAA to say thank you for their contributions to and coverage of interscholastic athletics. The awards are presented at an athletic event in the respective districts.

Courageous Student Award

High school principals may annually apply for the Courageous Student Award, which can be presented to one or more of their students. The award is intended to bring recognition to a special student who has been involved in, or supportive of, the interscholastic athletic program, and who has overcome great adversity, has gone far beyond normal in helping someone or has displayed courage against overwhelming odds.

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Harold A. Meyer Sportsmanship Award

The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Control authorized the formation of a standing committee on Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity in the fall of 1990. The committee is charged with the responsibility of developing and overseeing programs to develop an awareness of the need for sportsmanship, ethics and integrity in the schools of Ohio.

The SEI Committee initially established as its number one project the development of the Harold A. Meyer Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award. The award may be won by each and every OHSAA member school — grade 7-8 or high school — by meeting certain minimum requirements. The requirements are as follows:

A written Board of Education policy on sportsmanship, ethics and integrity in extracurricular activities.

A broad-based sportsmanship, ethics and integrity committee to coordinate the planning and implementation of a sportsmanship, ethics and integrity program.

Presentations throughout the school year to coaches, athletes, parents, fans and support groups emphasizing the school’s philosophy on sportsmanship, ethics and integrity.

An ongoing campaign that promotes sportsmanship, ethics and integrity.

An annual evaluation of all coaches in the areas of instruction and demonstration of sportsmanship, ethics and integrity.

A procedure for receiving, investigating and acting uponcomplaints regarding sportsmanship, ethics and integrity.

A plan for dealing with critical situations such as heated rivalries, overflow crowds and unruly spectators.

A program for acknowledging/ rewarding examples of good sportsmanship, ethics and integrity.

An all-time high of 92 schools — 82 high schools and ten 7th-8th grade schools — were selected as recipients of the 2002-03 Harold A. Meyer Award.

Sixty-four schools were repeat winners from 2000-01, four schools were previous winners and 24 were first-time winners. Four high schools have been recipients every year since the inception of the award in 1992. The four schools are:

Bay Village Bay High School

Brookville High School

Medina Senior High School

Painesville Riverside High School

And for the fifth straight year, every school in the Western Buckeye League (Celina, Defiance, Elida, Kenton, Lima Bath, Lima Shawnee, Ottawa-Glandorf, St. Marys Memorial, Van Wert and Wapakoneta) won the award.

The award is named in honor of the late Harold A. Meyer, commissioner of the OHSAA from 1969 to 1977. Winners of the Meyer Award will be presented a banner in a school assembly or an athletic contest.

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Archie Griffin Sportmanship Award

Each member high school and 7th-8th grade school can present the Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award to one male and one female student who demonstates outstanding traits of sportsmanship. The students are selected by the local schools with the certificates presented as a part of the school’s recognition programs.

Principals of all member junior high and high schools are mailed two certificates in April. Administrators are reminded not to use the certificates in laser printers as the certificates will be damaged. Replacement certificates may be requested from Nicole Taylor-Edwards at 614-267-2502, ext. 109.

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