Being a Good Sport

Being a “good sport” is typically associated with athletes and sports.

Sportsmanship, however, can be applied to different aspects of a teen’s life.

Whether it’s on the field, in the classroom, or on the stage, sportsmanship affects students in their daily lives.

One significant quality of sportsmanship is teamwork, a critical part in being successful.

“On the playing field, the rules are very defined: there are consequences and there are infractions,” says Trent Thornton, an economics teacher at Perry High School. “If [a player] commits a penalty, there is a consequence.”

Another key tenet of good sportsmanship is respect. Respecting teachers, parents, siblings and peers is important when displaying healthy sportsmanship in everyday life.

“In the classroom, it’s a little different because I’m supposed to be the ‘referee.’ But I can’t see everything,” Thornton says. “Be honest with me, be honest with yourself, have some integrity.”

Being a good sport isn’t always easy. When competing, the main focus might be winning, but fair behavior toward others is just as important. Competing can be difficult, especially if the mindset is only on winning. There will always be a winner and a loser, but it’s how people handle the situation that truly makes them a winner.

“A good sport is someone who stays humble in times of victory and defeat, and is able to keep their cool no matter the outcome,” says Perry High School senior Bella Vojacek.

Being good sport is put to the test daily. It takes hard work and dedication to achieve victory, but it also takes a quality attitude and humility to obtain that. Sportsmanship is a key aspect a teen’s life and can leave a lasting impact on their future.

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