No AGENDAS-you become us we do not become you
Kindred: Time for adults to take adult approach to sportsmanship by Randy Kindred Jan 17, 2016
It was maybe midway through my oldest daughter's first season of junior high basketball. Her team was playing a game when a nearby fan stomped his foot on the bleachers.
"Hey," he said, smiling. "Who am I? I'm Randy Kindred."
There was no need to protest. He was right.
Early in that first season, a misplay or questionable call or ill-advised shot would elicit a stomp of the foot on the wooden bleachers. Each time the voice in the head said, "It wasn't that loud. No one noticed."
Oh, they noticed. That was clear now.
So was something else.
The players on the court were kids. Those of us in the stands were adults. It was time to start acting like one.
That is all Steve Endsley is asking, really. Act like an adult. Be mature, responsible. Set a good example.
In his job as executive director of the Bloomington-based Illinois Elementary School Association, Endsley occasionally hears about acts of good sportsmanship. He posts them on the IESA website (iesa.org), understanding there are others that go unreported. He appreciates every one.
Endsley also receives reports of bad sportsmanship that lead to ejections from games, and this year they are reaching record numbers. It prompted him to send an email recently to all IESA member schools and many of the state's game officials.
Enough is enough. That was the message.
Here's why:
Of the 48 reported ejections last year from IESA events, 75 percent occurred in basketball (girls and boys). This year, 80 percent have come during a basketball game and, most disturbing, 90 percent of those ejected have been adults … either coaches or parents/fans.
As Endsley accurately points out, "It seems like the players are doing a decent job of controlling their emotions, but the adult coaches and fans are the ones who are acting like teenagers. This must change."
Endsley plans to discuss the matter Friday with the IESA board at its regular meeting. He will recommend harsher penalties for coaches who are ejected. Currently, the coach must sit out one game.
"That evidently isn't a strong enough deterrent," Endsley said.
"I firmly believe that a coach, at our level, should never be ejected. Never," he added. "Coaches are role models and when they disrespect the officials, they are sending the wrong message to the very kids the coach is trying to teach."
The same can be said of parents/fans, and Endsley is urging school administrators to communicate expectations to them. Make it clear that abusive behavior will not be tolerated and will lead to ejection.
"It's not fun," he writes. "I know that. But, it is the right thing to do and we must start immediately."
Cynics will suggest the horse has left the barn on all of this. They'll insist it is too late to rein in unruly coaches, parents and fans.
Endsley's take is it's never too late. Commend him for that.
Many people already have. Endsley has received 200 or more emails/calls from school administrators, game officials, etc., thanking him for his impassioned plea for change. It is an indication others share his concern and may be willing to help.
That's a start.
Endsley points out a junior high contest many times includes first- and second-year players, coaches and officials, all seeking to learn and hone their skills. Often there are parents watching their son/daughter play a school sport for the first time.
To expect perfection under those circumstances is unrealistic. Better to accept that there will be flaws and be mature, be an adult, set a good example.
And whatever you do, don't stomp the bleachers.