Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct

Roster

REPORT
November 4-5, 2002

1.
ACTION ITEMS.

Association-wide.

a.
Amendment to the NCAA Sportsmanship Award.

(1)
Recommendation.  Amend the criteria and selection process for the NCAA Sportsmanship Award as follows:  (a) eliminate the noteworthy feat as a nomination criterion and that teams and administrators no longer be eligible to receive the award; (b) designate conference offices as nominators for the award; (c) request each conference to nominate one male and female student-athlete from among its membership; (d) independent institutions nominate one male and female student-athlete directly to the national office [Note:  A subcommittee of former committee members will select one male and female student-athlete for each division from the pool of nominees from independent institutions.  The selected candidates from the independent schools will vie for the award with those nominated by the conferences.]; and (e) the committee shall select a male and female student-athlete from each division as award winners (six total).

(2)
Rationale.  This award was established to highlight deserving student-athletes who exemplify sportsmanship and/or ethical behavior.  Unfortunately, this has only occurred sporadically because, in the last two years, none of the nominees have satisfied the noteworthy feats “criterion.”  By eliminating that criterion and by using the conference offices to submit nominations, many of which already recognize student-athletes for sportsmanship, a broad and diverse pool of candidates seems assured as the committee and member conferences partner to promote sportsmanship at a national level.

Division I only.

b.
Strategies to Improve Sportsmanship.

(1)
Recommendation.  Request that the cabinet endorse the proposals and charge the committee with the responsibility of developing an action plan for implementation of the recommendations.  [Attachment]

(2)
Rationale.  The committee was asked by the cabinet to develop strategies that would help NCAA sports committees and coaching associations to (a) educate participants about their obligations as role models, and (b) improve sportsmanship during competition.  The committee submitted a number of general proposals.  The proposals are broader in scope than would be the case if the recommendation were specific to sports committees and coaching associations.  Recent episodes of (1) fighting by coaches, fans and student-athletes; (2) fan misconduct such as vandalism, (3) safety issues stemming from physical and verbal abuse by fans to visiting teams and the games’ security personnel; and (4) public criticism and abuse of officials by fans and coaches, illustrate that sportsmanship is in a downward spiral and heading for a crisis situation.  The membership is looking for strategies and leadership in this area.  The committee believes that a strategy requiring involvement of various aspects of the college community, not select groups, is needed to improve sportsmanship.  The committee recommendations are comprehensive in that they target student-athletes, coaches, game officials, administrators, fans and related groups.  They (fans, student-athletes, coaches, etc.) are also ambitious and include the use of publications, creation of educational videos, public service announcements and presentations to institutions and related associations.  If successful the committee’s plans will redefine appropriate fan and participant conduct at intercollegiate sporting events, stigmatize inappropriate behavior, and hold all groups accountable to effect change.

Divisions I and II only.

c.
Changes to the Coach’s Certification Exam.

(1)
Recommendation.  Add questions about gambling-related situations to the annual Coach’s Certification Exam as noted in NCAA Bylaw 11.

(2)
Rationale.  The committee is concerned about the level of coaches’ understanding of the application of Bylaw 10.3 and its related interpretations.  By adding some questions on gambling to the exam, it would enhance the coaches understanding of the legislation.  This is important because of their day-to-day contact with student-athletes and recruited prospects, and the opportunities to educate student-athletes about avoiding gambling situations.

2.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

Association-wide.

a.
Gambling Update.  A report was received on the progress of federal legislation that would curb gambling on intercollegiate athletics, a summation of penalties and reinstatement decisions for violations of the gambling legislation (Bylaw 10.3).

b.
Discussion of Sportsmanship on Campus.  The staff was asked to research other means of integrating educational sessions on sportsmanship, ethical conduct and gambling to mandatory on-campus meetings with coaches and student-athletes.

c.
Public Service Announcements on Sportsmanship.  The committee reviewed two public service announcements on sportsmanship that were created by the University of Missouri, Columbia.  The committee believed these public service announcements could serve as models for the Association.

d.
Endorsement of Supplement Manufacturers by Association Coaches and Playboy All-American Team. The committee agreed to forward a memorandum to the NCAA Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports Committee and the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics encouraging them to support the committee’s concerns about the two situations that send negative messages to student-athletes.  One involves a Division I head football coach who has endorsed a supplement manufacturer (Met-Rx) that produces banned and non-banned products.  The other is the committee’s concern that NCAA institutions allow their student-athletes to attend preseason Playboy All-American team festivities at the Playboy mansion (football, men’s basketball).  The committee cites Playboy’s demeaning portrayal of women as a student-athlete welfare concern.

e.
National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Director’s Award Cup.  The committee determined that developing objective criterion to measure or score sportsmanship for an institution would be difficult and elected not to make any recommendations.  The committee directed the staff to continue to gather information on methods to add academic performance as a category for the award.

f.
Committee Poster.  The committee agreed on the layout for a new sportsmanship poster that will picture two small children watching a collage of college athletes in action with the caption, “Be a hero.  Little eyes are watching.”

Division I only.

g.
Collegiate Coaches Association Presentation.  The chair reported on the presentation at the fall meeting of the Collegiate Commissioners Association.

h.
Committee Reporting Lines in Division I.  Staff was encouraged to discuss with the governance staff the committee’s preference to report directly to the management council rather than the cabinet.  The committee noted that it currently reports to the NCAA Divisions II and III Management Councils; therefore, the Division I reactions to the committee’s reports lag behind the other divisions due to the cabinet review process.

i.
Recommendation to the Certified Events Subcommittee.  The committee provided clarification on its recommendations for the certification criteria of exempted events conducted at locations where gaming casinos are prevalent.

Committee Chair:
Chandra V. Bierwirth, Marist College.

Staff Liaison(s):
Mark P. Jones, Enforcement Services
William Saum, Agents, Gambling and Amateurism
Ronald J. Stratten, Education Services.

The contact for this page is mjones@ncaa.org

1.	*ACTION ITEMS.*

	Association-wide.

	a.	Amendment to the NCAA Sportsmanship Award.

		(1)	Recommendation. Amend the criteria and selection process for the NCAA Sportsmanship Award as follows: (a) eliminate the noteworthy feat as a nomination criterion and that teams and administrators no longer be eligible to receive the award; (b) designate conference offices as nominators for the award; (c) request each conference to nominate one male and female student-athlete from among its membership; (d) independent institutions nominate one male and female student-athlete directly to the national office [Note: A subcommittee of former committee members will select one male and female student-athlete for each division from the pool of nominees from independent institutions. The selected candidates from the independent schools will vie for the award with those nominated by the conferences.]; and (e) the committee shall select a male and female student-athlete from each division as award winners (six total).

		(2)	Rationale. This award was established to highlight deserving student-athletes who exemplify sportsmanship and/or ethical behavior. Unfortunately, this has only occurred sporadically because, in the last two years, none of the nominees have satisfied the noteworthy feats “criterion.” By eliminating that criterion and by using the conference offices to submit nominations, many of which already recognize student-athletes for sportsmanship, a broad and diverse pool of candidates seems assured as the committee and member conferences partner to promote sportsmanship at a national level.

	Division I only.

	b.	Strategies to Improve Sportsmanship.

		(1)	Recommendation. Request that the cabinet endorse the proposals and charge the committee with the responsibility of developing an action plan for implementation of the recommendations. [Attachment]

		(2)	Rationale. The committee was asked by the cabinet to develop strategies that would help NCAA sports committees and coaching associations to (a) educate participants about their obligations as role models, and (b) improve sportsmanship during competition. The committee submitted a number of general proposals. The proposals are broader in scope than would be the case if the recommendation were specific to sports committees and coaching associations. Recent episodes of (1) fighting by coaches, fans and student-athletes; (2) fan misconduct such as vandalism, (3) safety issues stemming from physical and verbal abuse by fans to visiting teams and the games’ security personnel; and (4) public criticism and abuse of officials by fans and coaches, illustrate that sportsmanship is in a downward spiral and heading for a crisis situation. The membership is looking for strategies and leadership in this area. The committee believes that a strategy requiring involvement of various aspects of the college community, not select groups, is needed to improve sportsmanship. The committee recommendations are comprehensive in that they target student-athletes, coaches, game officials, administrators, fans and related groups. They (fans, student-athletes, coaches, etc.) are also ambitious and include the use of publications, creation of educational videos, public service announcements and presentations to institutions and related associations. If successful the committee’s plans will redefine appropriate fan and participant conduct at intercollegiate sporting events, stigmatize inappropriate behavior, and hold all groups accountable to effect change.

	Divisions I and II only.

	c.	Changes to the Coach’s Certification Exam.

		(1)	Recommendation. Add questions about gambling-related situations to the annual Coach’s Certification Exam as noted in NCAA Bylaw 11.

		(2)	Rationale. The committee is concerned about the level of coaches’ understanding of the application of Bylaw 10.3 and its related interpretations. By adding some questions on gambling to the exam, it would enhance the coaches understanding of the legislation. This is important because of their day-to-day contact with student-athletes and recruited prospects, and the opportunities to educate student-athletes about avoiding gambling situations.


2.	*INFORMATIONAL ITEMS*

	Association-wide.

	a.	Gambling Update. A report was received on the progress of federal legislation that would curb gambling on intercollegiate athletics, a summation of penalties and reinstatement decisions for violations of the gambling legislation (Bylaw 10.3).

	b.	Discussion of Sportsmanship on Campus. The staff was asked to research other means of integrating educational sessions on sportsmanship, ethical conduct and gambling to mandatory on-campus meetings with coaches and student-athletes.

	c.	Public Service Announcements on Sportsmanship. The committee reviewed two public service announcements on sportsmanship that were created by the University of Missouri, Columbia. The committee believed these public service announcements could serve as models for the Association.

	d.	Endorsement of Supplement Manufacturers by Association Coaches and Playboy All-American Team. The committee agreed to forward a memorandum to the NCAA Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports Committee and the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics encouraging them to support the committee’s concerns about the two situations that send negative messages to student-athletes. One involves a Division I head football coach who has endorsed a supplement manufacturer (Met-Rx) that produces banned and non-banned products. The other is the committee’s concern that NCAA institutions allow their student-athletes to attend preseason Playboy All-American team festivities at the Playboy mansion (football, men’s basketball). The committee cites Playboy’s demeaning portrayal of women as a student-athlete welfare concern.

	e.	National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Director’s Award Cup. The committee determined that developing objective criterion to measure or score sportsmanship for an institution would be difficult and elected not to make any recommendations. The committee directed the staff to continue to gather information on methods to add academic performance as a category for the award.

	f.	Committee Poster. The committee agreed on the layout for a new sportsmanship poster that will picture two small children watching a collage of college athletes in action with the caption, “Be a hero. Little eyes are watching.”

	Division I only.

	g.	Collegiate Coaches Association Presentation. The chair reported on the presentation at the fall meeting of the Collegiate Commissioners Association.

	h.	Committee Reporting Lines in Division I. Staff was encouraged to discuss with the governance staff the committee’s preference to report directly to the management council rather than the cabinet. The committee noted that it currently reports to the NCAA Divisions II and III Management Councils; therefore, the Division I reactions to the committee’s reports lag behind the other divisions due to the cabinet review process.

	i.	Recommendation to the Certified Events Subcommittee. The committee provided clarification on its recommendations for the certification criteria of exempted events conducted at locations where gaming casinos are prevalent.

*Committee Chair:*				Chandra V. Bierwirth, Marist College.

*Staff Liaison(s):*				Mark P. Jones, Enforcement Services William Saum, Agents, Gambling and Amateurism Ronald J. Stratten, Education Services.