They look objectively at their strengths. Enthusiasm and excitement about the achievements of others. Team players say their leadership examples come from rules, coaches, athletic directors, referees, community, and, yes, parents. They expect someone else to set the standards. Returning leadership to players of games, at home and on the road, has greater chances for building the leaders we all need.
Parents can do that.
Sooner or later sportsmanship, that positive signature of amateur athletics that coaches strive to protect, needs be returned to the athletes. Coaches can do that. Yah, we can do that. Cliff Gillies, former executive director of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, writes weekly during the school year for The Herald. His mailing address is 7500 U.S. Highway 101, South Bend, WA 98586.