[ back ]
Values taught both on and off the field
(by Erin Patricia Griffiths - September 16, 2008)
The athletic teams of the
Pascack
Valley region are recognized each season for their success with banners in their gymnasiums and trophies in their display cases. But this year, two schools, Emerson Jr./Sr. High School and
Park Ridge
High School have been acknowledged for the outstanding conduct of their coaches, players, and fans with the BCSL Sportsmanship Award for the 2007-2008 school year.
The award qualifications are determined based upon rating sheets that are filled out by each team’s coach for every season. The sheet includes a rating of one through five based upon the behavior of the opposing coach, players, and fans. At the end of every season, the coaches in the different leagues compile the forms, send them to the sportsmanship coordinator, and the top two schools in each league are recognized for their efforts. Emerson and
Park Ridge participate in a league with nine other schools. “As the athletic director I take great pride in that you can’t always win every game or lose every game, but you can certainly demonstrate good sportsmanship out there,” said Bob Carcich, athletic director at Emerson Jr./Sr. High School.
For Emerson, this is its sixth award, having received one in 1990, 1992, 2001, 2003, 2006 and now 2008. According to Carcich, the value of demonstrating good sportsmanship is constantly impressed upon their students. “Whether on the football field or outside, they are closely monitored and taught and encouraged to support their own team,” he said.
Park Ridge is celebrating its second award in the past three years. “It is great to have banners in the gym about championships,” said Chris Brown,
Park Ridge ’s athletic director. “But for last season, to go along with athletic success, it is great to see we are recognized for our sportsmanship on the field.”
The two schools share several of their team sports including cross-country, golf, and wrestling, giving both athletic directors the opportunity to see first hand how values are being taught to participants in the athletic programs. “I get to see
Park Ridge compete many times during the year and in cooperative ventures. I see the same things happening over there as over here,” said Carcich. “Chris Brown does a great job promoting sportsmanship.”
Both athletic directors intend to continue teaching their students the importance of good sportsmanship in addition to pursuing athletic successes. Carcich takes time at the first pep rally of the year to address the students and educate them on the value of cheering for your own team and not being derogatory toward other fans or players.
Brown, too, is looking to uphold the standards for sportsmanship that have been set in years past for
Park Ridge . “When it [sportsmanship] doesn’t happen, we try to capitalize on it and make it a teachable moment,” he said. “It’s a major emphasis and it all starts with coaches, and they model the behavior.”
The schools are proud of the recognition and hopeful to continue success both on and off the field. “Everybody is very proud about this and coming from the schools in the league, it is a good thing,” said Brown. “We are hopeful this year is going to be a good year for them.”
Erin Patricia Griffiths' e-mail address is GriffithsE@northjersey.com.
[ back ]
