Sportsmanship Pledge Holiday Campaign

If you're reading this blog, you have already shown a great interest in sportsmanship and how if affects the lives of young people.  Now, I'm asking you to take your interest and make it a commitment.  Many non-profit organizations will ask you to make monetary pledges this holiday season.  While there certainly is an opportunity for you to contribute to the Sportsmanship Initiative, this particular request is one of character.  For the extremely low price of FREE, I am asking you to commit to sportsmanship this holiday season.  Athletes, coaches, parents, and fans can sign the pledge and say "Yes!" to good sportsmanship.

While there, take a few moments to browse our website.  Those who have not joined the Sportsmanship Initiative as a Team Player, feel free to do so.  Are you already a member and need more materials? Order more.  By entering your information, you are telling the world that sportsmanship is important to you and the young people in your life.  Don't worry.  The information you enter will not be used to sell you anything or given to others so they can sell you something.  Our purpose is to provide you with the most up-to-date sportsmanship programming information and show the world that good sportsmanship is alive and well in every athlete, parent, coach, and fan.

Please click the following link for the Sportsmanship Pledge to sign up.  Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol

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The best player you've never seen.

"That #9 is pretty good."  If I had a dollar for every time I heard that statement at this weekend's NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship, I could fix the economy.  Everyone who sat next to me and saw Amelia McCall play made that statement almost on cue.  The picture you see above is of the reigning American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Player of the Year.  So, to say she's "pretty good" is a huge understatement.  McCall is a starting outside hitter for the Emory University Eagles and she and her teammates will take on Calvin College in the Division III finals on Monday afternoon. 

If McCall were a guy, everyone would know who she was.  Think about sporting events you've attended.  We go out of our way to recognize athletic excellence in men.  Star male athletes get louder cheers, special music, and even a different vocal inflexion from the PA announcer.  Sometimes women are pushed to the extreme end of the sportsmanship continuum.  They become so team-oriented that individuals often vanish.  I know what you're thinking.  What's wrong with being team-oriented, Mr. Sportsmanship?  Nothing, except that individual greatness inspires others. 

Kids didn't want to be like the Bulls.  They wanted to be like Mike.  It's OK to celebrate our stars.  My daughter and I met McCall and her parents.  I think someone will be signing up for a volleyball league very soon.  Have a look at McCall's play in the video below (Email subscribers click here).  She's as good as advertised.  McCall and the Emory Eagles play for the Division III National Championship against the Calvin Captains tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Washington University Fieldhouse in St. Louis.  For those who cannot attend, the match will be webcast live at ncaa.com.  Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol

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Browns fans attack father and son.

I needed a few moments to let this story seep in.  Last Sunday, a Cleveland man took his 8-year-old son to the Jets-Browns football game at Browns Stadium.  The man is originally from New York and he and his son are Jets fans.  This shouldn't have been a big deal.  Opposing team's fans come to every game in every sport everywhere.  What happened at this game was beyond despicable.  A group of Browns fans threw food, taunted, and assaulted the man and his son. One fan actually tackled the boy.  Watch the WEWS-TV account of the incident below (Email subscribers click here). 



No one, especially a child should be subjected to violence at a sporting event.  Sports are to be supposed fun whether you're watching or playing.  It's so important for all of us to stay in our roles when it comes to sports.  Here's something most fans don't understand.  The players are actually friends off the field.  Watch any NFL game and you'll see a group of guys from both teams after the game praying, shaking hands, and hugging - even amongst bitter rivals.  Let's teach our kids to play with respect on the field and live with respect off of it.  Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol

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HS basketball coach accused of beating players.

Normally, I wouldn't write two posts in the same day.  I wouldn't risk overkill, but this is very important.  Marlon Dorsey, a high school basketball coach in Jackson, Miss. has recently been accused of beating his players.  Video from one of the alleged beatings is available through multiple sources online.  Although I have seen it, I will not post it on this site.  Any abuse or alleged abuse of children will never be shown here - even to make a positive point. 

Statements made by Dorsey indicate that he thought he was doing the right thing.  "I took it upon myself to save these young men from the destruction of self and what society has accepted and become silent to the issues our students are facing on a daily basis.  I am deeply remorseful for my actions to help our students."  Dorsey is being sued by three of his students for alleged "whippings" related to a variety of infractions.  He even sent a letter to parents telling them he punished their children for reasons ranging from disrespecting teachers to being late for class.

If Dorsey did indeed use corporal punishment on his athletes, then he is completely out of line and unworthy of coaching kids.  Opinions vary about the use of corporal punishment in the home.  Some parents use it while others do not.  No matter what your stance is regarding corporal punishment, most parents reserve the decision on its use solely for themselves.  Coaches, teachers, and others who work with children are fully aware that we are not to put our hands on children.

We complain about those who act out.  We talk about how parents should gain some control over their unruly children.  We sometimes feel a greater responsibility to children who may not have both parents at home - especially fathers.  Let me be perfectly clear.  We can be the best coaches and role models on the face of the earth, but the child is not ours.  Coaches are partners with parents.  We cannot replace them.  It is so very important that we all stay in our roles.         

Dorsey stepped out of his role and his students are not the better for it.  Be the best coach you can be and let everyone else do their own jobs.  Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol 

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Sportsmanship Brigade searches for good sports tomorrow.

Tomorrow, the Sportsmanship Brigade returns to Penrose Park for the last game day of the season for America SCORES St. Louis.  We recognized two outstanding athletes and one great coach for their acts of selflessness and sportsmanship.  We'll have our eyes peeled tomorrow too.  The video below was from last Thursday (Email subscribers click here). 



It's really good to know that young  people do the right thing.  It also make you feel good to "catch" them doing the right thing.  If your organization wants the Sportsmanship Brigade to visit, please call 314.345.5130 or email salexander@stlsports.org. Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol

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Sportsmanship Brigade rewards good character.

The Sportsmanship Brigade is a group of Sportsmanship Initiative volunteers who visit local youth sports games in search of acts of good sportsmanship.  Yesterday's trip took us to Penrose Park in St. Louis where we searched for good sports among the America SCORES St. Louis organization.  Jackpot!  Athletes, coaches, parents, and officials showed the utmost respect for us and their beloved soccer.  Award winners received a $10 gift card from Target. 

While we all know good sportsmanship and character have a greater value than any gift, we want our kids and the people who work with them to know that their dedication is recognized and appreciated.  A full visual recap of our experience with America SCORES St. Louis can be seen on the Sportsmanship Initiative's Facebook Page.  Have a look and enjoy.  If your organization would like the Sportsmanship Brigade to visit your organization, leave us a comment on Facebook or email salexander@stlsports.org.  Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol 

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Earn up to $2500 from the Sportsmanship Initiative.

The St. Louis Sports Commission – through its affiliated Sports Foundation – is undertaking an effort to make St. Louis a model community for good sportsmanship by providing financial assistance to youth sports leagues, associations, individual teams, and sports-related nonprofits committed to participating in and implementing the Sports Commission’s Sportsmanship Initiative. The Sportsmanship Initiative is a series of programs that advance the ideals of respect, civility, integrity, and fair play. Through these grants, the Sports Commission will take a direct role in helping athletes, parents, coaches, officials, and fans create a positive sports environment that enables kids to play hard, have fun, and learn the lessons that lead to active, healthy, and happy lives.

Grants typically range between $500 and $2,500 to cover the direct costs of developing and operating a youth sports program. Equipment, uniforms, competition fees, facility improvements and other expenses which directly impact youth participation will be funded. However, grant funds cannot be used for employee salaries, rent/mortgage, utilities, transportation, and other administrative costs. For an organization to be eligible to receive grants, it must be an independent 501(c)(3) organization. Additionally, the application process requires a prospective grantee to earn a minimum of 25 quality points through participation in Sportsmanship Initiative programs. Please read the entire grant application carefully. A completed Sportsmanship Grant Scoresheet (page 5) must be submitted with your application. To be clear, earning a prescribed number of quality points does not guarantee funding. It only guarantees an organization’s eligibility to receive funding. The organization must still demonstrate a thoughtful, comprehensive, and inclusive application to help further the goals of its sports programs.

However, preference is given to organizations that earn quality points above and beyond the minimum. Participation in Sportsmanship Initiative programs coupled with a clear, effective program demonstrates the prospective grantee’s commitment to creating more positive environments in youth sports. Grants are not made to support political activity, legislative lobbying, fundraising events, or sponsorship ads.  Interested organizations can apply for a sportsmanship grant by clicking here to download the official grant application. Specific guidelines, requirements and criteria appear in the document.

The deadline to submit the grant application is November 30, 2010. The Sports Commission will notify grant recipients by December 31, 2010.  Questions and inquires regarding grants should be directed to Solomon Alexander, director of the St. Louis Sports Foundation, by phone at 314-345-5130 or by e-mail at salexander@stlsports.org.

Grants awarded by the St. Louis Sports Commission’s Sports Foundation are funded by proceeds from the 1994 U.S. Olympic Festival held in St. Louis. The Sports Commission established its Foundation following the Festival to share the fruits of the event and fund organizations serving youth and amateur sports in the region.

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