Sportsmanship is: Accepting the rules of the game or a difficult situation. 

Sportsmanship is: Cheering for your team – especially when they are losing.

Sportsmanship is: Respecting the judgment of officials and their interpretation of the rules.  Never argue or make gestures indicating a dislike for a decision. 

Sportsmanship is: A coach leading by example and displaying sportsmanlike behavior him/herself. 

Sportsmanship is: Caring about your teammates more than yourself. 

Sportsmanship is: Treating opponents with respect as guests and fellow human beings by refraining from verbal abuse of opposing athlete’s coaches and officials. 

Sportsmanship is: Accepting both victory and defeat with pride and composure.  Never be boastful or bitter.  Exercise self-control at all times.

Sportsmanship is: Congratulating opponents in a sincere manner following either victory or defeat.

Many groups and individuals share the responsibility for sportsmanship in a school district. Sportsmanship is a result of the regulations and procedures established by the administration the directions and programs set by the athletic director the expectations and teachings of the coach as well as the modeling and behavior of the athlete. All of the people involved must continuously keep the development of sportsmanship in the forefront as a primary purpose for interscholastic athletic programs in an educational institution.

Visiting team member’s students and adult spectators are guests to be accorded all the courtesy and consideration that a friendly well-mannered and well-intentioned host would normally give. Officials are the proper authorities to make decisions regarding rules and their interpretation; these decisions should be accepted.  Spectators coaches and student/athletes must recognize that their conduct plays an important role in establishing the reputation of their school and that their actions can relate directly to the success or failure of their team.  Remember that an athletic contest is only a game,  not a matter of life and death for player, coach, school, parent(s) or fan.

Educators universally agree,  of all the goals established as outcomes for students involved in school sports, sportsmanship is primary. Students parents, coaches, and spectators who learn to value and practice sportsmanlike behavior are developing the characteristics of good citizenship.  Honesty, generosity, self-discipline, concern for others, ethical behavior, and a commitment to fair play are all demonstrated in sportsmanship.