Ethical Behavior in Sports

Recent developments: At the NCAA Final Four, the conduct of professional basketball players, the misuse of the media in focusing on violent acts in sports, the over-emphasis on "win at any costs", the general breakdown of sportsmanship at all levels of participation, and the relationship of sports behavior to behavior in society, all indicate and dictate a need to study ethical behavior in sports.

Proposed PPPS Activities:

1. Assemble an annotated bibliography on ethical behavior in sports.
   Status: In preparation
2. Conduct seminars and symposia based on the topic of sportsmanship.
   Status: In preparation.
3. Conduct a follow up conference to the one held at UNC in 1997 on the topic of ethical behavior in sports (see the Program for the Study of Sport in the American South).
   Status: Discussion level.
4. Issue a sportsmanship report card illustrating positive and negative behaviors in several sports, and ranking them in the US on a quarterly basis.
   Status: Discussion level.
5. Bring selected abstracts related to violence and ethical behavior in sports on-line as they relate to NC sports.
   Status: Discussion underway with Dr. Ed Shields and his NC study.
6. Hold a meeting at the state level of all the sports organizations in the state of NC and discuss sportsmanship and ethical behavior as a topic.
   Status: Planning process.
7. Coordinate "name" seminars and record their stories. For example, former chancellor Paul Hardin and his experiences at SMU.
   Status: Under discussion, may be done in conjunction with seminars.
8. Seek a government sponsorship day focused on sportsmanship.
   Status: Discussion level.
9. Develop a unit on sportsmanship to be taught in physical education classes in public schools.
   Status: To be discussed with professional leaders.
10. Examine role models in sport, or lack there of: a cross cultural analysis.
    Status: Discussion level.