Lead By Example

To the Editor:

This past weekend I attended our youngest daughter’s Newtown in-house basketball game. Although their team is still looking for their first victory this season, I have continued to be impressed by their positive attitudes, as well as that of their parents. When the game is over, these fifth and sixth grade girls can still be seen smiling and receiving encouragement from their parents. So what would prompt me to write this letter?

Last week writer and commentator Frank Deford spoke of the late Wilt Chamberlain. Deford reported that Chamberlain’s 100-point single game record would have been eclipsed if Lakers coach Phil Jackson kept Kobe Bryant in a game. But Jackson simply noted that the game was a rout, and that it would be against the spirit of the game. Deford went on to say that in recent weeks a girl’s high school coach in New York decided to run up the score, enabling his star player to break the national girls’ high school record by scoring 113 points. I should add that the score after the first period was 44 to 6. They would go on to crush their opponents. Mr Deford was, as we should all be, appalled by this coach’s lack of good sportsmanship.

What would this story have to do with a Newtown in-house league game? It has to do with the behavior of an adult. Clearly way ahead the entire game, and despite a verbal warning by the league director, this adult continued to ignore the rules set by the league. I could only patiently sit back, listen, and wonder what this win would demonstrate to his team?

There was a time when children played sports for fun and exercise. They learned to be on a team, showing respect to their teammates and opponents. The adults taught good sportsmanship and would accept nothing less. Today there is no code of conduct. Rules are not followed; behavior is permitted as long as their team is winning. Humility no longer exists, bragging has become commonplace. Is this behavior we wish to pass on to our children? I would hope not.

Despite my obvious displeasure with the events of this recent game, the blame goes entirely to the coach, the spectators who continued to yell “Shoot the ball,” and not to the players.

In the meantime, congratulations Gaels, you are all winners by the good sportsmanship you demonstrate each week!

Lucille A.D. LaPerch

26 Horseshoe Ridge Road, Newtown                     February 13, 2006