Walking the walk: Principals Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Day continues to teach students what it means to 'Respect the Game'

Tim Stried, OHSAA, September 22, 2009 9:57 a.m.

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ESPN college football analyst Todd Blackledge addresses the 80 students who attended the Principals Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Day Sept. 15 at Massillon Tuslaw High School. - (Photo by Brian Robinson)

MASSILLON, Ohio - One is a long-time conference commissioner and high school basketball official. The other is a former NFL quarterback and current national college football analyst on ESPN. Together, they teamed up to send a unified message about what they believe should be the focal point of high school athletics.

Charlie Jones, who is the commissioner of the eight-member President's Athletic Conference in Northeast Ohio, organized the Sportsmanship Day and Canton native Todd Blackledge, who starred for Penn State and then played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, delivered the keynote address.

Jones and Blackledge drove home the sportsmanship theme September 15 in the gymnasium at Massillon Tuslaw High School as they addressed 80 students from the eight high schools that comprise the PAC - Akron Manchester, Canton Timken, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Fairless, Indian Valley, Massillon Tuslaw, Tuscarawas Valley and Wooster Triway.

The subject of sportsmanship is one that the Ohio High School Athletic Association puts at the top of its list of elements that comprise educational athletics. The OHSAA's 'Respect the Game' campaign is seen and heard at regular-season and tournament contests around the state each school year.

After getting acquainted to begin the sportsmanship conference, the students participated in three table work sessions conducted by Jones, which followed a 20-minute address from Blackledge.

Even prior to taking over as commissioner of the PAC, which Jones has now served for 24 years, he has put sportsmanship at the center of his involvement with high school sports.

"I have been involved with OHSAA committees for 35 years and the sportsmanship committee has been one of the most important," Jones said. "I just feel so strongly about 'Respect the Game' and sportsmanship. In discussing this with the athletic directors in the PAC, we look at this as a continuing education process."

Blackledge, who is a North Canton Hoover High School graduate, is now seen every Saturday on ESPN with play-by-play announcer Brad Nessler. Blackledge is the father of four boys and also coaches high school basketball in Canton.

"I tell my boys and the guys I coach that I want you to compete like you will never get another chance - but do it with class," Blackledge told the students. "Do it the right way. Do it so that you show respect to the one you are competing against. Trash talking has no place. The only time when talking helps you win is on the debate team."

Many of his values were instilled by his father, who coached football for 40 years at the high school, college and professional levels, and from legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno.

"Coach Paterno always told us that if you score a touchdown, hand the ball to the referee," Blackledge said. "Act like you have been there before. He would take guys out of the game if they showed excessive celebration or taunted a player. He did that 30 years ago and he still does it today."

That philosophy applies not only to the competitors on the field or court, but also to the parents and fans in the stands. For that reason, Jones said that he asks the administrators from each of the eight PAC schools to include non-athletes in the group they send to the sportsmanship conference.

Following the address from Blackledge, it came as no surprise that when asked to write a sportsmanship code during a table session, every group used the word 'respect' more than once.

"If you want to be a leader in sports, you need to respect not only your opponent, but the officials, too," Blackledge said. "If any of our boys say anything negative about an official or an umpire, we cut off that conversation right away. We want to communicate to them that an official's job isn't easy. They're human beings and don't get paid very much. They're an official because they want to give back."

Jones has the sportsmanship conference idea clicking and it has become an annual tradition in the PAC. He hopes what the 80 students learned will grow when they headed back to their schools.

"I want them to apply what they learn here today," Jones said after the conference. "We all talk the talk, but these kids have to walk the walk. I want them knocking on their principal's door about having a sportsmanship assembly. I want them to know what sportsmanship is all about."

The message is getting through. Not only are students encouraged to show good sportsmanship, but it also gives a 'big-picture' approach to interscholastic athletics.

"We participate in sports to have fun and build relationships, so to be a part of this conference is great," said Paige Ward, a sophomore from Tuslaw High School. "We get to meet people from other schools and no matter if they're a rival or a teammate, we all want to do our best and we're out there to achieve the same goals."

When asked to write a sample school code of sportsmanship, Ward's table session group produced the following:

'Please show respect to everyone, including other athletes, fans, coaches and officials. Please maintain a positive attitude, whether losing or wining and congratulate others for their efforts. Act as a leader while still being considerate of others' views. Expect the best from yourself and help others to achieve their best. Maintain a sense of modesty while expressing yourself with confidence and composure. Fans and spectators, please cheer for your team, but do not talk down to the opposition. Treat everyone as equals and expect the same in return. Understand that what happens during a game should be left there and not interfere with civil relationships. Present yourself with character and in a manner that you and people who know you can be proud of.'

With ideals like that and leadership from people like Jones and Blackledge, the mantra of good sportsmanship is spreading. There are 80 student leaders in the Presidents Athletic Conference that are proof of that.

"You are the leaders of your high schools," Jones said just prior to the conference wrapping up. "And we want you to act like leaders when you get back. Start preaching sportsmanship because we will be better citizens for doing so."