by Glenn Reid
Having just completed the fourth Northeast National Qualifier of this season, I was struck by something that has become all too familiar of late: Unsportsmanlike behavior. I think we have all heard the term before and usually when we hear it we think of something the players or coaches have done. The unfortunate reality is that this behavior is not coming from on the court, but it is surrounding the court. The behavior is coming from the fans – who are comprised mainly of parents and family members of the players.
As parents, most of us have at one time or another tried to teach our children, in one form or another, the Golden Rule – treat others the way you want to be treated. Many of us learned the principle from our parents or our kindergarten teachers. The concept dates back to early Confucian times and can be found in the teachings of most of the world’s religions. It seems a simple enough idea that, in theory, should be easy to do. Yet, how many times have you sat at a volleyball tournament and heard fans (most of which are parents) yelling at the girls keeping score or calling lines? This behavior has become increasingly more frequent these days.
I ask you a simple question – do you want your child yelled at during a volleyball match? As a head referee at events across the country, I have been approached by parents who are incensed that other parents are yelling at their daughter,s and in some instances using inappropriate language and even name-calling. Are we not appalled when we see videos of what I refer to as “Little-League” parent behavior?
USA Volleyball has created a position of Arbitrator, in part due to this type of behavior. You may have seen these men and women, wearing green shirts or jackets, intervening in such situations. Their role is to deal with ethics and eligibility. Too often, these Arbitrators have been the busiest staff members at our tournaments.
When these situations occur, I am struck by an overwhelming sense of sadness that as parents, some of us cannot put into practice what we try to teach our children. Isn’t it sad that our daughters have to witness this behavior from their parents? I cannot begin to imagine the embarrassment some of our children endure when their parents act in such a fashion. I often find myself thinking back to the Golden Rule … and wondering when we will see it again around the volleyball courts?