What Is Victory Without Sportsmanship

We think about this often. It is a story of character, purpose, and influence. It is a tale of an Olympian and kids; of obligations and sportsmanship. What are we given? What do we owe?

Many fine traits are attributed to sports and competition. We think of Teddy Roosevelt’s “The Man in the Arena.” Taking a stand. Risking. Learning to fail. Persevering. That speech is popular for good reason.

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The lessons of sports

When we think about youth sports – our own or those of our children – we frequently talk about the lessons of fitness, teamwork, winning, and losing. These are all true benefits. And this column is not intended to disparage or diminish them.

Yet this particular memory and its slightly different perspective come repeatedly to mind.

Our grammar school-PE teacher was old. Certainly by our standards. She had a Yankee efficiency, though. Constantly moving in her kilt. Keeping things organized and on track. She was soft-spoken and had an ironic sense of humor – which we definitely did not grasp.

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Belief in the journey of sports

She taught gym because she loved it. Being fit, competing to improve, cultivating lifelong sports – such as running and tennis and swimming – were her themes. In the era of amateur athletics, she had won an Olympic silver medal. Virtually nobody spoke of that, least of all she. She was the real deal. Not that we noticed or could have cared.

The boys’ program included units in cross country, soccer, gymnastics, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, softball, track & field, and square dance with the girls. It burned off young energy and provided an overview of many activities. It was fun enough and sometimes challenging. It all culminated in a riotous, school-wide, red vs blue field day.

But that is not the story. That is how she cultivated interest. How she helped kids to find their niche and their level. She believed in everyone.

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Stolen honor

One afternoon we took a field trip to the high school. There were a couple of nationally ranked schoolboys on the wrestling team. The purpose was certainly inspiration and motivation. You too can achieve with effort. The lesson that stuck with us was different.

In one match our local hero was on the mat. His opponent had him down on his stomach, and was controlling him, but unable to turn him onto his back. Our hero put his chin in his palm with his elbow on the mat and gave a ho-hum sigh.

Respect, obligation, sportsmanship

That was it. Our Olympian stood us up and marched us out to the corridor. Bad sportsmanship is not to be tolerated, we were told. The opponent was worthy of respect. The effort of sport was worthy of respect. Belittling another does not make you better. It makes you smaller and cheapens your own achievements.

We returned to the match. Our local hero probably won. Thank you, Mary Conklin.