National Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA News Archive - 2007
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Unsporting conduct - Survey results
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The Division III Commissioners Association’s sportsmanship and ethical conduct committee conducted a survey in 2006 to determine how Division III administrators, coaches and student-athletes view various ethical-behavior scenarios. The purpose of the survey, which garnered 192 responses, was to stimulate discussion. “That was accomplished,” said Ohio Athletic Conference Commissioner Tim Gleason. “I have heard from athletics directors indicating they took the survey into a staff meeting and engaged in healthy and interesting dialogue.”
Among other things, the survey points out that good sportsmanship and acceptable language and behavior — and the lack thereof — are perpetual agenda items. “Sometimes the picture is clear and sometimes it is not,” Gleason said. “One thing certain is that education and communication are essential.”
Following is a sample of survey responses:
A softball team in your league is noted for stealing signs from opponents and gaining an advantage.
54% (A) That is part of the game. If they are successful, more power to them.
46% (B) It is disingenuous to steal opponents’ signs and you should not make an effort to do so.
A basketball player is noted for “flopping” and taking charges when little or no contact is made by the offensive player.
42% (A) That is part of the game. It is up to the officials to monitor such. If players are successful, more power to them.
58% (B) Flopping should not be taught or condoned by coaches, and it should not be practiced by players.
Several students at your basketball game yell “you s**k!” after each of your opponents is introduced during pre-game.
15% (A) While such language is not appropriate in church or at the dinner table, it is common language these days and should not be over-reacted to.
85% (B) I will put a stop to it the instant I hear it.
Among other things, the survey points out that good sportsmanship and acceptable language and behavior — and the lack thereof — are perpetual agenda items. “Sometimes the picture is clear and sometimes it is not,” Gleason said. “One thing certain is that education and communication are essential.”
Following is a sample of survey responses:
A softball team in your league is noted for stealing signs from opponents and gaining an advantage.
54% (A) That is part of the game. If they are successful, more power to them.
46% (B) It is disingenuous to steal opponents’ signs and you should not make an effort to do so.
A basketball player is noted for “flopping” and taking charges when little or no contact is made by the offensive player.
42% (A) That is part of the game. It is up to the officials to monitor such. If players are successful, more power to them.
58% (B) Flopping should not be taught or condoned by coaches, and it should not be practiced by players.
Several students at your basketball game yell “you s**k!” after each of your opponents is introduced during pre-game.
15% (A) While such language is not appropriate in church or at the dinner table, it is common language these days and should not be over-reacted to.
85% (B) I will put a stop to it the instant I hear it.
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