"Are You a Good Sport?"
The one thing all cultures have in common is sport, and we may need a lesson in sportsmanship 101. The on-field brawl between the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox in front of 39, 387 fans, and many more watching TV, is bad sportsmanship at its best. In 2004, it was the NBA, with the brawl between the Pistons and the Pacers. And who can forget the year Vancouver Canucks player Todd Bertuzzi's sucker-punch to Colorado Avalanche player Steve Moore. Why was this so shocking when this kind of behavior was expected in the NHL? Could it be that because Moore had suffered a broken neck and concussion that fighting in the league suddenly became an issue? By the way, do they still fight? Are the leagues taking turns? Do these players ever think that this is frightening for our youth to watch? And I'm sure America’s grownups would rather watch Janet Jackson suffer a wardrobe malfunction than a gang fight between teams.
Brawls in sports are just one example of poor sportsmanship among athletes. And athletes are not the only ones cutting up:
· Coaches - Some berate and embarrassed their players in front of their teammates and fans.
· Fans/Spectators – Fans cheer on misconduct by players. For example, fans at Minute Maid Park in Houston cheered on Astros right-hander Russ Springer when he hit Barry Bonds with a pitch. Also, how about a fan who throw a syringe at Bonds at another game.
· Parents – Have you ever been to a youth game and watch some kid’s parent on the sideline coaching both the team and the coach?
Sports are where competition at its best is performed. All in the name of money, honor, rights, and prestige; and jealousies, egos, bad tempers, and poor judgment can get in the way. We need to be adults and set examples for our youth.
We invite the players from both the Cubs and the White Sox to join in with our Chicago youth and write a 500 word essay, “Are You a Good Sport”, sportsmanship essay contest. Visit www.thelelafoundation.org for more information.
| WNBA Starts Its Tenth Season
The WNBA begins its tenth season this month. The league began in 1997 with many not believing it would last this long.
According to NBA Commissioner David Stern, “ In the course of the WNBA, we have seen the USA Top 25 (poll) expand to high school girls; the Nike and Adidas camps expand to girls; the letters of intent from high schoolers going to college reporting about girls; the cover of Sports Illustrated adorned by (Emerka) Okafor and (Diana) Tarausi; the Baylors of the world and the Purdues of the world joining the Connecticuts and Tennessees of the world (as NCAA champions). Why? Because young women are feeding into the college game, because they have role models in the WNBA, and when they are in college, they’re pushing themselves with a kind of discipline, growth and teamwork that used to be the preserve only of men. “ The league started out with eight teams and now has fourteen, with the addition of the newest team, the Chicago Sky.
However, league does still have some ongoing issues such as TV viewership and in some cases, attendance. Salaries are also an issue. Back then, a top player received a salary ceiling of $30,000, and with endorsements, salaries went into the six figures. Today, top players receive $90,000, with rookies averaging $30,000. Many in the league want higher salaries, but many feel that the league salaries are tried to the overall budget. If they were making money like the NBA, then they would get paid like the NBA. “You’ve come a long way, baby.”
You can visit the WNBA at www.wnba.com
What do you think will help bolster the WNBA’s viewership? | |
How about those LA Clippers? WIth the addition of Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobey, they have been a force to reckon with. Sam always make any team better. Congrats to Elton Brand on winning the Joe Dumars Trophy Sportsmanship Award. Looks like it might be a Clippers/Lakers LA showdown.
Speaking of 'sportsmanship', the Lela Foundation will be presenting the "Are You a Good Sport?' sportsmanship essay contest, inviting youth in Chicago grades 4 - 12 to participate. Stay tune for more details. Visit www.thelelafoundation.org
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