Good Sportsmanship
My former elementary school basketball coach, Mr. Trease, always said it was just as important to be a good sport in winning as in losing. He had a favorite quote which he said a bit differently than the way Grantland Rice said it. Mr. Trease said it this way: “When the Great Score Keeper comes to write your name, it matters not whether you won or lost but how you played the game.”
I observed good sportsmanship in numerous games of all kinds, but one stands out in my mind. A young teenage boy named Matt was in a TaeKwon-Do sparring tournament. One of the referees in his match happened to be his opponent’s instructor. During the match, Matt was cautioned by that referee for things which I really did not see; however, one really needs to be in the ring to see more of what happens. Every time Matt was cautioned, he acted with courtesy and good sportsmanship. At the end of the match, the opponent pushed Matt out of the ring and knocked him down. Again, the referee who was the opponent’s instructor cautioned only Matt! I know how I would have felt at such injustice, but Matt continued to show good sportsmanship and courtesy which his instructor had taught him. Picking himself up off the floor, Matt said, “ Yes Sir,” and shook hands with is opponent.
Nothing good would have come from a display of anger or disgruntlement. His actions inspired many people that day, including two little boys who later went on to be good sportsmen as they matured.
Discussion: We never know who may be watching our actions and what they may learn from our behavior. How would you have felt if this had happened to you? How do you think you would have reacted, or responded?