Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct

NCAA National Office

June 9-10, 2003

Indianapolis, Indiana

Those in attendance were:

Chandra V. Bierwirth, Marist College, chair
Jeff Compher, Western Carolina University
Marion H. Gibson Jr. (Woody), High Point University
Emily Hutchinson, University of Hawaii at Hilo
Joanna Kreps, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Ralph (Chris) Reynolds, Notre Dame University
Dell Robinson, Mid-American Conference
Marjorie A. Willadsen, Buena Vista University
Terrie Hall, NCAA, recording secretary
William Saum, NCAA
Ronald J. Stratten, NCAA

Committee members Tim Maddox, Cabrini College; George Klebez, West Virginia Wesleyan College; Blake Bolden, Southwest Missouri State University; and Mark Jones, NCAA, were unable to attend the meeting.

Susan Peal, NCAA, and Heather Yost, NCAA, were in attendance for portions of the meeting.

[Note:  The following minutes reflect only actions taken (formal votes or absence of meeting") in accordance with the NCAA policy governing minutes of all Association entities.  While certain items on the committee's agenda were acted upon at various times throughout the meeting, all final actions within a given topic are combined in these minutes for convenience of reference.]  

Tuesday, June 9, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 8:15 a.m. by the chair, Ms. Bierwirth.  All members were present as noted above.

1.

Opening Remarks.  Ms. Bierwirth thanked everyone for taking time out of his or her busy schedules to come to Indianapolis for this meeting.  Ms. Bierwirth also welcomed our new committee members.

2.

Approval of Previous Minutes.  The committee reviewed the minutes of the November meeting and the December teleconference.

It was VOTED

"That the minutes of the November 4-5, 2002, meeting and the December 5, 2002 conference call be approved and distributed."

3.

Division Reports.  Division III, Marge Willadsen reported that Division III recommended the Sportsmanship Award changes.  They also approved the use of the University of Missouri PSA and endorsed the recommendation by the committee on the advertising and sponsoring college events by supplement manufacturers and Playboy.

4.

Gambling Update.  Bill Saum updated the committee that CBS Sportsline recently confirmed that they were on schedule to divest VegasInsider.com.

Mr. Saum also reported that the NCAA continues to support federal legislation that would prohibit sports wagering on amateur athletics in the state of Nevada, as well as legislation prohibiting Internet sports wagering.

Also, the state of Delaware has formed a task force to evaluate the merits of conducting legalized sports wagering as a revenue producer for the state.  The NCAA in association with the professional sports leagues has joined a coalition to oppose legalizing sports wagering.  It is the NCAA understanding that Delaware state legislature will not address the issue during the present term.

The ESPN Sports Poll indicated that less than 8 per cent of the viewers of NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament watch the tournament due to gambling reasons.

Mr. Saum reported at the committee's request the precedent for sanctions on student-athlete and athletics administrators having found to be in violation of the NCAA Sports Wagering legislation is now posted on the Web.

The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the NCAA Football Issues Committee has expressed and interest in sports wagering issues.  The AFCA and the NCAA has arranged for former organized crime member, Michael Franzear, to address coaches at their annual convention in January 2004.  The NCAA Football Issues Committee will review in July a variety of options on how to address the sports wagering issues in college football.

The NCAA is presently reviewing the merits of the proposed public relations strategic plan as it relates to sports wagering.

The committee was updated on the NCAA Sports Wagering Study.  Preparations to continue to implement the study during September 2003; surveying 30,000 male and female student-athletes in Divisions I, II and III.

5.

Sportsmanship Award.  The Committee discussed the new recommendations for the revision of the Sportsmanship Award nomination form.  The committee discussed the removal of teams and administrators from the form and agreed to make special provisions when necessary (i.e., University of Buffalo Women's soccer team).

6.

Sportsmanship Poster Update.  The committee reviewed the mock poster created by the NCAA graphics staff and agreed that it was not gender friendly and needed to be redone. It was suggested that photographs from conferences be used.  The committee agreed to try and contact their conferences about photographs and will send them to Mr. Stratten.

7.

Met RX/Playboy Update.  Mr. Stratten reported to the committee that he had received a supporting letter from the CSMAS that the CWA had chosen to respond to the Management Council rather than the committee.  Mr. Stratten is currently working with CWA and Governance to develop a clean letter in response to each issue

8.

Sportsmanship Bylaw and Playing Rules Working Group and Legislative Committee Update.  Mr. Stratten reported that Myles Brand requested that a review take place within the staff to determine whether the current language related to sportsmanship and ethical conduct was sufficient.  The committee was asked to review their recommendations and make comments.

The committee reviewed the recommendations from the Working Group.  The committee noted its general support for the direction the Working Group had taken and has forwarded recommended legislative proposals to the divisional SAACs for their comment.

The legislative changes noted above would require the membership to adopt and enforce rules governing violations of misconduct during regular season competition that currently apply to NCAA Championships.  In addition to the above, recommendations were made to strengthen Divisions II and III approaches to sportsmanship and ethical conduct within their self-study process.  Other recommendations were commented upon and returned to the Working Group for further review.

9.

The committee was asked by the Division I Certification Committee to review its operating principal 4.4 and self-study items on sportsmanship and ethical conduct and provide recommendations to strengthen its language. The committee reviewed the principal and will forward its recommendations to the committee.

10.

Changing 'sporting Conduct" to 'sportsmanship" Throughout NCAA Print Materials.  The committee discussed the use of the term 'sporting Conduct" rather than sportsmanship and determined that it did not have the same impact as the term 'sportsmanship."  The committee also felt the meaning of sportsmanship would be lost by changing the term.  The committee also felt it was important to have consistent language.  The committee noted that a decision had been made by the certification committee to change the language without consulting the committee. Susan Peal from membership services attended this portion of the meeting and agreed to report back to the certification group the committees concerns.

It was VOTED

"That the NCAA Division I Certification Committee and NCAA Sports Rules Committee use the term 'sportsmanship" replace 'sporting Conduct" throughout all NCAA certification and rules documents."

[Note: The meeting recessed at 4:59 p.m.]

Tuesday, June 10, 2003

The meeting was called to order at 8 a.m. by the chair, Ms. Bierwirth.  All members were present as noted above.

11.

NASPA and Sportsmanship Summit Update.  Ms. Bierwirth participated in the Sportsmanship and Fan Behavior Summit in Dallas and reported on the event to the committee.  She voiced her concern that the summit was mostly geared to Division I-A, and not I-AA, I-AAA or Divisions II and III.  It was suggested that this was possibly an opportunity for the committee to send the report to those divisions cited above for response.

Ms. Bierwirth also noted that she also represented the CSEC at the NASPA Conference held March 24, 2003.  She reported that she sat on a panel regarding the Summit and Tim Clark of the NCAA represented her on a panel regarding hazing.  She reported that Dr. Elizabeth Allan had sought NCAA support for a research project to expand the study of hazing.  It was noted that the proposal did not include intercollegiate athletics and she said that it was noted to the author.  The author was urged to contact the NCAA's research group if she was seeking funding for the project.

12.

Strategies to Improve Sportsmanship.  Pursuant to the committee's review of existing language related to sportsmanship and ethical conduct, the committee reviewed the strategies document for emphasizing the importance of sports participants as role models, as well as improving sportsmanship during competition developed at its December 5, 2002, meeting.  The committee strengthened strategies with the following changes and urged their acceptance as a platform for creating a more positive and civil sporting environment.  The committee emphasized the importance of the role the on-sight administrator plays in establishing expectations for positive behavior. 

Suggestions Regarding the Plan to Improve Sportsmanship.

1.

That the Association produces a video that depicts sportsmanship as a role-model behavior for coaches and student-athletes.  These videos should also include activities and talking points a facilitator may follow to engage all parties in discussions.

2.

Presentations on sportsmanship should be on the agenda at meetings and conventions of various coaching associations, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the National Association of Collegiate Women's Athletics Administrators, College Commissioners Association, Student-Athlete Advisory Councils and coaching associations.

3.

Develop a sportsmanship motto on behalf of the Association that would be visible on posters, public service announcements and any miscellaneous items (e.g., luggage tag, key chain) normally provided to student-athletes at championships.

4.

Develop strategies to increase the importance of team leaders in promoting sportsmanship and controlling team behavior.  See Jeff Jansen's book for role of captains on sportsmanship.

5.

Create public service announcements similar to those provided by the University of Missouri, Columbia.

6.

Encourage the Association's broadcast partners (e.g., CBS) to promote sportsmanship.

7.

Solicit support from your president with regard to importance of ethics and sportsmanship by athletics department staff and student-athletes.

8.

Involve SAAC representatives with directors of athletics in setting sportsmanship and ethical conduct as a key issues for the year.

Methods to Improve Sportsmanship during Competition.

1.

Require sports committees and official?s organizations to educate audiences regarding any changes concerning their emphasis on sportsmanship, unsportsmanlike fouls or penalties during competitions.  In addition, enforcing rules consistently and fairly.

2.

Eliminate or discourage unnecessary dialogue between officials, participants (coaches and student-athletes) and fans during contests.

3.

Develop strategies to increase the importance of a coach?s or team captain?s role in promoting sportsmanship and controlling negative team behavior of a coach?s or team leader?s role.

4.

Develop a partnership with the National Federation of State High Schools, developing strategies to improve sportsmanship during the contests.

5.

Encourage the Citizenship through Sports Alliance (CTSA) to educate parents or fans to teach children the values and goals of sportsmanlike behavior.

6.

Increase emphasis and frequency of public announcements regarding fan behavior and sportsmanship at games.  Statements should be made before the opening whistle of the first half and the beginning of the second half of a game.  Sportsmanship statements should be posted around stadium and in game programs.

7.

Encourage head coaches to emphasize sportsmanship during television and radio programs.  NCAA should produce and provide public service announcements to shows.

8.

Set forth national guidelines or standards for fan behavior and hold member institutions accountable to control fans.  Strategies discussed by the committee were noted.

a.

Create talking points to use with coaches and on-campus administrators on sportsmanship when addressing booster organizations.  The committee agreed to provide talking points related to ?Know Your Role? concept for coaches and administrators.  Encourage fans, coaches, officials and student-athletes to choose one role only to play during competition (e.g., Players should play, coaches should coach, officials should officiate and fans should support in a positive manner.)

b.

Develop a sportsmanship handbook that covers every area of game day preparation including fan behavior, bands, cheerleaders, coaches, etc.  Encourage athletics administrators to work with other campus officials to dialogue with student fan groups.  Develop clear expectations and consequences for poor fan behavior and discuss with campus support groups.  Refer to Southeastern Conference policies in response to negative fan behavior.

c.

Determine how to restrict or control alcohol intake around contests through collaboration with campus and community security agencies, as well as local food and beverage establishments or liquor enforcement agencies.

d.

Increase dialogue with facility security staff and plan for multiple scenarios.

e.

Increase dialogue with campus student booster groups with regard to seating and behavior.  Require attendees to support sportsmanship principles.  Make best efforts to restrict seating of spirit groups in close proximity to visiting school bench.

f.

Review pre-and post-game access and egress of players, coaches and officials to and from the field of play during an athletic contest.

g.

Review policies regarding pre-and post game access to field or court by fans.

9.

The Committee discussed the concerns of the membership to have a ?useable? definition of sportsmanship.  The committee believed standards or recommendations of appropriate ?conditions? for good sportsmanship within athletics should be described.

 Good Sportsmanship Indicators:

1.

Respect for officials - student-athletes raise hand or arm to signal a foul.

2.

Student-athletes shake hands before and after the contest.

3.

Unsportsmanlike behavior violations are addressed appropriately.

4.

Inappropriate conduct by coaches has consequences.

5.

Appropriate recognition when competitor gets injured and is forced to leave the competition.

6.

Fans, coaches and student-athletes are held accountable for negative behavior.

7.

Fans are enthusiastic supporters of their teams but respectful to opposing teams and their supporters.

8.

There is a respect shown by all competitors for the opposing team.

9.

Gamesmanship by coaches or players is frowned upon.

13.

Proposed Article on Ethics.  The committee discussed ways to get its message on sportsmanship out to the membership.  The NCAA News was suggested as an avenue.  The staff was asked to explore doing an article four times a year in a dedicated part of the News.

14.

Budget and Strategic Plan for 2004-05 and 2005-06.  [Attachment]  

15.

Election of a New Chair. Dr. Marion Gibson, Highpoint University, is the new chair beginning with the November 2003 meeting.

16.

Citizenship Through Sports Alliance (CTSA) Update.  Mr. Stratten reported on the CTSA Awards Banquet to be held June 15 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the last day of the NACDA Convention.  It will follow NACDA?s panel workshop on sportsmanship, citizenship and fan behavior.  He urged the committee to support the event and the committee?s two awardees; Paul Moore, West Virginian Wesleyan University and The Women?s Soccer Team from the University of Buffalo.  Mr. Stratten also shared a memo forwarded to him from the CTSA requesting the NCAA?s involvement in a summit to be held in the Fall 2003 or Spring 2004 with other visible sports associations.  The CTSA also requested the NCAA join the NFL and the NBA along with pro teams, other schools, colleges and the Olympic committee in donating tickets to their premiere events to be used in an ?Ultimate Sports Package,? which could be auctioned off and the proceeds used to fund sportsmanship initiatives sponsored by the CTSA.  Mr. Stratten reported that he had spoken with Myles Brand and Dr. Brand agreed to support the summit and that he would approve the use of two tickets if the basketball committee and other stakeholders supported the concept.  Mr. Stratten indicated he would seek approval from key stakeholders before moving forward.

17.

Future Meeting Sites.  The committee decided that its November 3-4, 2003, meeting would be in Phoenix and that its November 2004 meeting would be in Tampa.

18.

Adjournment.  The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.  

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