The NMAA, a member-led organization, provides leadership in interscholastic athletics & activities, promoting equitable participation and character development.
Spirit Unit I (Introduction)
Rudy Aragon, NMAA Assistant Director(505) 923-3270
raragon@nmact.org
Welcome to the 2007-08 school year. I trust that your summer has been restful and enjoyable and that you’ve found many creative ways to beat or enjoy the heat, whichever is your pleasure!
One of my fondest memories of this past school year was that of our spirit kids dancing in the bleachers of the Pit prior to the awards ceremony of the 07 State Spirit Competition. Looking up from the Pit floor, I must say that was one impressive scene! Everyone was on the same page and they couldn’t have been happier and more excited. Those moments epitomized what we here at the NMAA are striving for; teamwork, high energy, cooperation, unity, sportsmanship and just plain fun!
On the business side of things, I would ask that you please be prompt in submitting all required information to us. Deadlines for the various application requirements can be found in Unit Four of this District Clinic document. Also, please make sure that you are familiar with and completely understand all NMAA and NFHS rules and regulations governing spirit. Rule books should have been purchased for you by your Athletic Director, but if they were not, we have them here in the NMAA office for you to purchase. Also, the NMAA handbook, which includes all governance bylaws can be found online at nmact.org. If you haven’t done so already, please be advised that you are required to create an MVP account with us in order to submit your rosters and team photos online. It also assists us with the creation of a mail-out listing so that you can be assured that all correspondence reaches you. If you need assistance with the creation of the MVP account please call Kristin in our office at 923-3110 or kderr@nmact.org
Probably the greatest spirit concern throughout the country is safety. The bottom line is coaches are taking unnecessary risks with their athletes. Please understand that the liability factor to you and your school’s administration, not to mention the risk of injury to your athlete, is tremendous. Adequate training for both coach and athlete is a must. Please make contact with members of our Spirit Leadership Team to find out about training opportunities.
One of our primary goals at the NMAA is to champion the “Pursuing Victory with Honor” initiative. We fully believe that winning is important but that it does not define us. What defines us is the character that we display in everything that we think, do and say, each and every day. Lets all focus on “developing champions for the future”, champion fathers and mothers, champion husbands and wives, champion employees and employers and champion citizens who are proud of themselves and care about others. After all, isn’t that what this is all about?
The Definition of an Athlete
From a Sportsmanship Point of View
By Rudy Aragon
As a sporting society, we have a tendency to label an individual with
superior physical ability as a gifted athlete. Unfortunately, many of
us fail to acknowledge the fact that becoming an athlete involves so
much more than skill. In fact, the mental and emotional
characteristics developed and exhibited by an individual or team are
indicators of true athleticism. By definition, an athlete would be a
player who contributes positively and consistently, to the betterment
of a team and a sport. Society’s definition of athleticism involves
God given abilities, where as in truth, becoming an athlete is not a
skill but a choice; a choice involving two character traits over which
we have control, effort and attitude.
In his book “Developing a Positive Coaching Legacy”, Mr. Bruce Brown
speaks of eight character attributes practiced by true athletes, each
of them a matter of choice. True athletes have great confidence and a
teachable spirit. They possess a tremendous amount of team pride and
integrity. They are disciplined and have a positive competitive
perseverance. Finally, they are accountable and have a team first
attitude. For the purpose of evaluating how each of these character
traits apply to the development of an athlete, I will compare the
characteristics exhibited by true athletes with those who need
remediation, meaning those who participate in sporting events but have
yet to grasp what a practitioner of sportsmanship would consider to be
the true meaning of athleticism.
Confidence
True athletes possess a quiet inner confidence that is based upon
preparedness. They realize the value of working tirelessly to
accomplish their goals. They understand that consistent practice and
repetition away from the spotlight are major contributors to their
development. Like students who are fully prepared for an exam, they
know that they are going to be productive. True confidence is
contagious within teams. Those who have acquired it have an air of
being at ease and comfortable with whatever situation is presented to
them because they know that they have earned the right to win.
Athletes needing remediation have a tendency to be self absorbed and
arrogant. They are fully dependent on their God given skills and see
life in terms of me as opposed to us. They believe that because of
their athleticism, they are deserving of special treatment that does
not warrant conformation to the same rules, attitudes and efforts as
their teammates. Unfortunately, in times of adversity, their lack of
true confidence becomes increasingly evident.
Teachable Spirit
Successful athletes are hungry to learn. They take correction as a
compliment and understand that the emotion which may accompany it, at
times resembling criticism, really means that they are cared about.
They react to correction by providing their coach with both physical
and verbal cues indicating that they are listening and that they are
open to suggestions on how to improve.
Those who don’t quite get it, view correction from their coach as
being critical of their abilities. They feel like they are being
“picked on” and react accordingly. They are quick to rationalize why
they are not being successful and tend to blame anyone and everyone for
their shortcomings or those of their team. Their body language, when
being corrected, shows frustration and indicates that they are not
willing to listen.
Pride
The pride exhibited by a true athlete is based on unselfishness and
accountability. It is shared as opposed to individualistic and shuns
arrogance and entitlement. Their pride comes from the euphoric feeling
that accompanies being part of an “unselfish band of teammates.” This
form of pride involves a desire to become as good as possible not only
for themselves but more importantly, for their team.
The words and actions of an athlete possessing false pride indicate
“Look at me, I am special.” These individuals are quick to point out
that although their team has not been successful, they have. They will
never feel the magic of being part of a great team, even in victory,
because they place both individual ability and winning above character.
Integrity
Integrity is a staple of a true athleticism readily displayed in every
daily decision. These athletes’ mode of operation is synonymous with
their stated values. They are conscious of the welfare of others and
willing to do whatever is necessary to enhance their team’s
productivity. They are men of their word and their handshake can be
counted on to confirm a deal.
Those not truly committed to becoming special athletes will sign
what is required and then do what they want. They have been led to
believe that their physical skills are their “ticket” to success.
Unfortunately, their lack of integrity has a tendency to be exposed at
the wrong time and at their team’s expense.
Discipline
Successful athletes understand that the ingredients for discipline are
simply focus and effort. They see the big picture when it comes to
discipline and realize that sacrifice is paramount to individual and
team success. They possess the strength of character to overcome
temptations and always do what is right during the moment of truth.
They value respect and responsibility and make it a point to be
attentive and enthusiastic, regardless of the situation.
Those who have not quite grasped this concept see discipline as a
dirty word, often associated with punishment. They lack self control
and are resistant to the intention of the discipline. They are short
tempered, often frustrated and can easily become sidetracked. Their
need for immediate gratification causes them to “live on both sides of
the tracks.”
Positive Competitive Perseverance
One of the more admirable characteristics possessed by true athletes is
their adherence to the WIN (what’s important now) acronym. They have
developed an uncanny ability to recover quickly from mistakes and
refuse to remain discouraged. They possess a mental toughness which
allows them to remain confident, enthusiastic and positive, regardless
of the situation. They refuse to have their spirit broken and can be
“knocked down but not out.” They thrive on competing with their
opponent on their opponent’s best day and realize that the choices they
make will ultimately control their destiny.
Athletes who have not mastered this concept become easily
discouraged and often drag their teammates down with them. They allow
yesterday’s failures and disappointments to interfere with today’s
efforts and attitudes. They are dominated by a fear of making a
mistake, which in turn, profoundly affects their ability to perform.
They are quick to lay blame for ineffectiveness and are constantly
seeking allies for consolation.
Accountability
Winners take personal responsibility for whatever happens to them.
When things are not going well for their team, they look to themselves
first to evaluate what they can do to positively impact the situation.
They always have a plan as to how to bolster their strengths and
address their weaknesses.
When things are not going well, athletes lacking accountability have a tendency to lay blame on sources that are out of their control. The focus of their attention is directed at the coach, referee, size of the opponent, etc. They are seldom honest with themselves regarding their weaknesses and are often too distracted to direct their energies toward improvement.
Team First
Athletes with a true understanding of and belief in team, focus on
doing whatever is necessary to ensure that they do not let their
teammates down. They realize that on great teams, all roles have equal
value. They fully embrace the character traits of team players and
hunger to be part of something bigger than themselves. They realize
that teamwork is a rare gift that allows ordinary people to produce
extraordinary results.
Selfish athletes are selective participants when it comes to effort, attention and behavior. They see roles as being limiting and are often selfish within theirs and jealous of the roles of others. They do not value consistently being the hardest worker on their team and, if given a choice, would take being a high profile player on a fair team over a less publicized role on a great team.
If we as coaches were to consistently focus on developing athletes of character, we would have a profound effect on both the sporting society and the futures’ of those who participate. Since only a small percentage of athletes will ever compete at a level beyond high school, it stands to reason, if our goal really is to “develop champions for the future,” that we place our energies where they might have the greatest effect. For those who have been blessed with the physical skills to play at the next level, understanding and embracing issues of good character are paramount to becoming truly special athletes that we can all admire.
Citations
“Developing a Positive Coaching Legacy” by BruceBrown
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