As a former collegiate athlete and current Division III men's basketball coach, I have had the opportunity to associate with some outstanding individuals in the realm of athletics. Their thoughts and, more importantly, their actions have helped me define sportsmanship for our program and consequently for myself.

Too often the moniker of "good loser" is associated with being a good sport. True sportsmanship focuses on being gracious in victory and defeat. Good sports don't just focus on the end results; they focus on the entire process. And above all, they have learned to respect both themselves and others through practice and competition.

The elation of victory and disappointment of defeat are fleeting emotions. The true underpinnings of good sportsmanship and good athletics are character, discipline and self-esteem. Those qualities are most fully developed when we focus on the process of reaching our full potential as players, coaches and as team members. Instead of focusing solely on outcomes, the "good sport" is actively involved in the process of becoming a better player, a better teacher and better teammate.

However, we make no excuses for wanting to win. Competitiveness is a natural human trait. The process of training to become a better athlete makes us want to enjoy the taste of victory all the more. We compete; we train and support each other fully with victory as our ultimate goal. But the athlete who is focused on the process of improvement, who has character, discipline and self-esteem, will fare equally well in a glorious victory or a difficult defeat. In fact, both wins and losses for this athlete will further serve to hone those positive personal characteristics, creating in the individual the workings of a true leader.

Good sports handle superior opponents or bad calls with an even temperament. They understand that great challenges and events beyond their control will present themselves throughout their lives. Those are opportunities to bring out the very best in each of us. Good sports can honestly evaluate themselves and their performances, judging their strengths and weaknesses, and thereby opening the door for future growth and development as athletes. Athletes know that defeat is not permanent and that improvement increases their chances of future success -- and their feeling of self-satisfaction -- regardless of the outcome. The successful athlete is the one who can take the lessons learned through the process of competition and apply them to all areas of his or her life.

Good sports respect themselves, others and the rules of the game. Respect, as we all know, tends to generate good behavior, but it also makes better athletes. A healthy self-respect generally will ensure that an athlete takes care of his or her physical, mental and emotional well-being. Respect for others, of course, generates good relationships and a focus on teamwork. And respect for the rules of the game apply not only on the court or the field, but also in life.

Ultimately, good sportsmanship becomes a way of life. Athletics careers are by and large short lived. Most of the best institutions of higher education will contend that education is a life-long process. If we are to benefit from the positive aspects of the sporting life, a commitment to sportsmanship is a must. Commit to sportsmanship early and you'll always be able to focus on the game, whether it's basketball, golf, swimming or life.

The choice and responsibility are yours alone. Choose to be a good sport.

Phil Ness, head men's basketball coach at Allegheny College, recently was selected as a 2002 Sports Ethics Fellow by the Institute for International Sport.