National Sportsmanship Day

On National Sportsmanship Day, over seven million students, teachers, coaches and administrators will discuss sportsmanship issues raised in their "how-to-packets." Included in this year's discussion options will be two Uncommon Acts of Principle involving three sports legends. Use these two acts to engage student-athletes and coaches in thoughtful discussion about the issues raised.

Jack Nicklaus

JACK NICKLAUS' RYDER CUP DECISION

The 1969 Ryder Cup was host to one of the most sportsmanlike acts in the history of golf. The United States and Britain were tied going into the final match between England's Tony Jacklin and American Ryder Cup rookie, Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus and Jacklin approached the 18th hole late in the day with the fate of the Ryder Cup at stake. Reaching the green in equal strokes, Nicklaus had a 10-foot advantage over Jacklin. Jacklin's putt was powerful but stopped only a couple of feet from the hole. Nicklaus sank his putt leaving Jacklin with one putt to tie the game. Rather than letting Jacklin risk the putt, Nicklaus picked up his opponent's ball signaling a "gimme". "I don't think you would have missed that putt but in these circumstances I would never give you the opportunity," explained Nicklaus. For the first time in history, the Ryder Cup ended in a tie. The United States retained the trophy, and because of Nicklaus' gesture of friendship, Jacklin was able to walk away with his pride and the respect of his countrymen intact. But not everyone was happy. Some of Nicklaus' teammates were reportedly not thrilled by Jack's generosity.

DISCUSSION POINTS

What sportsmanship values are represented by Jack Nicklaus act? Are these values important? If so, why? If not, why not?

Do you think that the respect and consideration Jack Nicklaus showed his opponent is as prevalent in today's sport world as it was in 1969?
Should Jack Nicklaus have consulted his teammates before giving his opponent the "gimme?"
Did Jack Nicklaus rob his opponent of a competitive opportunity and, if so, was this fair?
Do you think an athlete should compete to his or her maximum potential, even if victory is assured?
Do you believe in lowering the level of play, whether by a team or an individual, if there is a great disparity in ability between opponents?
Who has the right to decide when to "call off the dogs?" Do players have this right or just coaches?
Should fan enjoyment be taken into consideration, when the decision is made to lower the level of play?
If one team is far superior to another and shows no restraint, what message does this send to the other team? What message does this send to fans?
Why should a superior team, or player, care about the feelings of his or her opponent?
Many people pointed out the level of discernment utilized by Jack Nicklaus in his Ryder Cup decision. Read the following dictionary definition of discernment: "The act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment. Keenness of insight and judgment." Then discuss why so many people were so impressed with Jack Nicklaus level of discernment.

COACH LAPCHICK'S PRINCIPLED ADVICE TO A FUTURE LEGEND


Bob Cousy		Joe Lapchick

In March 1947, tiny Holy Cross College with an enrollment of 1,400 men, won the NCAA Division I men's basketball championship. Playing a key reserve role on the team was a freshman who went on to become one of the greatest players in basketball history.

Due to a combination of homesickness and his feeling that he should have played more minutes during the just completed season, the freshman, a native of New York City, waited several weeks after the season concluded, and then wrote a letter to legendary St John's University coach, Joe Lapchick.

In his letter, the freshman relayed his unhappiness at Holy Cross, and asked Coach Lapchick if he could transfer to St. John's, located only miles from his home.

A decade later, this former freshman, who at the time was the most valuable player in the NBA, shared Coach Lapchick's response in his book, "Basketball Is My Life."

"Dear Bob,

You're not in college primarily to play basketball, but to get an education, and you're getting a very good one at Holy Cross. If you should transfer to St. John's you wouldn't be gaining anything in that respect.

Your coach at Holy Cross, Doggie Julian, is one of the finest basketball coaches in America, and someday you'll be proud you've played for him. He doesn't want to hurt you and isn't doing so deliberately. I know he is depending heavily on you in future years, and would be very much upset if he knew how you felt.

Aside from everything else, transferring from one college to another is at best a risky move. You don't know if you're going out of the frying pan into the fire. And college rules dictate that you must wait a year before being eligible for varsity competition. This would hardly make it worthwhile for you.

Be patient. You're only a freshman. Your turn will come. Stay at Holy Cross. You'll never regret it.

Sincerely,

Joe Lapchick."

The restless freshman was the legendary Bob Cousy. On many occasions, Bob, a man of great integrity himself, has expressed his appreciation for Coach Lapchick's advice, and his great admiration for Coach Lapchick's act of principle.

(This story was taken from the forthcoming "The Encyclopedia of Sports Parenting," (Warner) by Dan Doyle with Deborah Doermann Burch.)

NATIONAL SPORTSMANSHIP DAY DISCUSSION POINTS

What would contemporary coaches have done in the same situation?
Given the pressure to win and the financial ramifications involved, how many contemporary college coaches would feel that they could even think about writing such a letter?
Why was what Coach Lapchick did so admirable?
Should loyalty to a school and to a coach enter into an athlete's decision? And how heavily should this loyalty factor into that decision?
How many contemporary college coaches would emphasize and promote the importance of education, as Coach Lapchick did?
How does the level of loyalty of a Division I athlete to his/her school and team compare to the level of loyalty that a professional athlete should feel to his/her team, city, and fans?