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Sportsmanship!  Everybody should have it . . . Everybody thinks they do . . . but, at the same time, Everybody is concerned that it is not being practiced "by those other guys!"

Those are general perceptions we in the IHSA Office have formed as we have talked about sportsmanship with people across Illinois and around the nation during the last year.  We have been engaged in a pointed effort to identify what people think sportsmanship is, whether people believe there are concerns about sportsmanship which need to be addressed by IHSA and its member schools, and what people think ought to be done.  It has been an interesting year of information gathering and perception building.

We have concluded that people consistently and seriously believe sportsmanship to be an important issue of concern in interscholastic athletic activities.  We have concluded that IHSA can and should be a catalyst in efforts to address sportsmanship concerns throughout the state.  And, we have concluded that an important initial step for IHSA to take in response to our schools expressed needs is to provide a resource for ideas schools can use or adapt in their local efforts to stress sportsmanship.

We trust the manual will be helpful and encouraging.  Use it well and often, and then let us know of your successes!

Remember, Add A. Tude is for EVERYONE!

Marty Hickman
Executive Director, Illinois High School Association