Students’ Drive to Win Overshadows the Ethics of Sports
November 25, 2008
“It’s not if you win or lose; it’s how you play the game” is a saying that has been used for years in order to encourage young competitors to stay positive after a tough loss. However, in today’s age, the argument can be made that maybe it is all about winning or losing. Although coaches often emphasize the importance of having fun while playing a game, as the competition intensifies so do the coaches’ attitudes towards winning. Not only do the athletes have pressure from their coaches, but even more pressure can come from parents or loved ones. On one hand, the case may be a parent or coach living their own dreams through their child on a team. In other cases, the mother, father, or coach were star athletes when they were younger, so they expect their kids to be exactly like them and become frustrated if the kids do not have the same success they once had. But on the other hand, a student may not want to disappoint their parents because they feel their parents expect them to be the best. The student is then highly motivated to win, which can cause even greater disappointment if they lose.
Of course winning an athletic event is always the goal, but perhaps the way that winning is perceived is what causes the problems. Some coaches are so over the top about winning that when a team fails to win, all they do is yell and berate the team as if they did not work hard enough. Neuqua Valley High School Psychologist Janet Rogers says, “Certainly there is praise for those who are tenacious, but in the final analysis, the person who out performs his or her peers receives the accolades.”
While some athletes may take the coach’s words and use them to get ready for the next game, others may see them as demeaning to their talent. It may cause a child to become discouraged and upset with themselves, which can create even more self-esteem issues. Rogers believes that the society also has a large effect on how winning is perceived. “Society values winning,” Rogers said. “We live in a competitive world, where we value and reward the people who excel.” Such is seen when professional athletes win championships. Not only are they rewarded by the fans, but they are also given an extra amount of money from the team’s management because of their successful efforts in the playoffs. Many professional athletes forget about their love for the game and focus on how much money they will make if they score the extra touchdown or goal.
Subsequently, it seems that the competitiveness has seeped down into younger players’ games. For example, in Colorado, a brawl broke out between parents at a second grade football game. It was said to be started by one coach punching the other coach, but then the parents got involved as well. The second graders who saw this taking place might now think that fighting is okay and a means of solving problems. The parents and coaches should realize that their child, or team, is in second grade, which means they are not expected to play the New York Giants in the Super Bowl and win. Teaching a young child that winning is most important while playing a game could be the cause for many more brawls in their future games.
Being an athlete at Neuqua requires a person to perform at their best, every time they step onto the court, field, or dive into the pool. Although winning is important, the element of fun is equally important to a team or individual’s success. So as Neuqua athletes compete for championships throughout the school year, they should keep in mind the fun aspects it takes to win.
By Elizabeth Maluta, staff writer
