A reminder to all about sportsmanship
Just a couple weeks into the fall sports season and it's time to remind players, coaches and fans about sportsmanship.
It's almost an unfortunate given that somewhere, somehow, common sense will give way to the emotions of the games we play. But this year, it's heartening to see that real punishments will come to those who take competitive sports too far. So while we deplore what we've seen on the field, we applaud the quick reactions of those who govern such things.
Nationally, a University of Oregon football player was suspended for the season for punching an opponent after an opening game loss.
Locally, the North Chicago varsity football team had to forfeit Friday's game against Vernon Hills and is suspended until further notice from competing in the Illinois High School Association. This comes after a bench-clearing brawl - which included fans pouring onto the field - the previous week against Chicago's Simeon High School. In addition, eight players from Simeon were suspended for one or two games each.
We think the toughness from the IHSA is warranted and we hope to see that kind of vigilance continue. It's part of a focused effort by the IHSA on sportsmanship in all athletic endeavors.
It doesn't hurt to remind players, coaches, parents and fans the "Do What's Right" expectations approved by the IHSA's sportsmanship committee:
• Represent your school and community well with positive interaction with opposing fans and players.
• Use positive yells, chants, songs or gestures.
• Display modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat.
• Respect and acknowledge the integrity/judgment of officials.
• Exhibit positive behavior with opponents and fans before, during and after the contest.
These are not difficult ideals. They really are just the minimum that should be expected and achieved by all high school programs. We think North Chicago football coach Glen Kozlowski, the former Chicago Bear and former Wauconda High School coach, understands this.
"Football is a physical game, but what happened that night is not part of it at all," he told the Daily Herald's Patricia Babcock McGraw. "For us to right the ship, we felt that what needed to happen was something decisive and swift. And yes, it might hurt, but we need to be held accountable and responsible for what happened."
He added: "Like all of us, emotions can sometimes get the best of you, but part of growing up is learning how to control that."
Yes, these are isolated incidents. But we need to learn from them so similar incidents don't proliferate. We all enjoy watching and cheering for our prep athletes. Let's all make sure it remains an enjoyable experience.