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All youth sports leagues should educate their fans on proper behavior at games. In reality, few even educate the coaches. What to do?
Taking its cue from the New York CHSAA, (often referred to as the best HS basketball conference in the country) our local CYO has recently instituted a sportsmanship ceremony prior to each game. Both teams come out onto the floor at midcourt and face each other. First the CYO philosophy of sportsmanship is read, followed by the Sportsman's prayer. Finally, each team and their coaches shake hands at center court. Then they go out and wreak mayhem on each other.
The impact? I seem to see some increase in civility following the first time this ceremony is run, but it soon becomes an extended bathroom break, and many programs seem to be skipping the ceremony in the interest of saving time.
It's a step in the right direction, but there's a long way to go. Maybe it'll have an effect in the long term.
In the mean time, officiating is no place for the timid or thin-skinned.
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