| Data, Dismay and Direction |
A look at the level of conduct in intercollegiate soccer
By Dr. Brian Crossman, Chairman, NSCAA Ethics Committee
One of the more enjoyable aspects of my job the past two years as chair of the National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA) Ethics Committee has been receiving nominations for the NSCAA Ethics/Sportsmanship Award of Merit at the end of the fall intercollegiate season. Teams earn this award by receiving no red cards and only a limited number of yellow cards during the entire season. A gold award is earned by those teams with no yellow cards (yes, it has been done each year), a silver award for those teams with one to five yellow cards, and a bronze award for those teams with six to 10 yellow cards.
Those standards might make the NSCAA Ethics/Sportsmanship Award of Merit one of the most difficult soccer awards to achieve. Congratulations to the teams that have made earning this award a priority in their program and have been recipients of the award. (In 2006 there were 55 winners, and in 2007 there were 59 winners.) Coaches of the award-winning programs are recognized during our annual convention at the NSCAA/adidas College Coaches Awards reception.
The other part of my job as chair of the Ethics Committee has shocked me and led to great dismay! During the intercollegiate soccer season, my office receives a copy of every red card ejection report filed by referee members of the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA). These reports are supposed to be sent to me by email within 48 hours after a match. Unfortunately I had to read, categorize and file more than 1,400 red card ejection reports in each of the past two fall seasons (2006 and 2007).
This was the third consecutive year the number of red cards increased (2005 – 1,343; 2006 – 1,423; 2007 – 1,463). Furthermore, based on the data and anecdotal information I received from a widespread geographical sampling of NISOA members, I believe a third of the red cards given to players or coaches were not reported. This means there were probably more than 2,000 red cards for each of the 2006 and 2007 intercollegiate soccer seasons.
Almost 2,500 men’s and women’s teams (NJCAA, NCCAA, NAIA, and NCAA Division I, II and III) represent their institutions in intercollegiate soccer. These teams play a total of about 20,000 games each season. Based on the data gathered, I would estimate that there was a red card shown in one out of every 10 college soccer matches (of course I’m sure most of these cards were shown to players of coaching staffs and coaches who were not members of the NSCAA)! Is this too many, a “reasonable number” or a low amount of red cards? Should three consecutive years of increases in the number of reported red card ejections concern us?
As an organization, the NSCAA has made ethics and conduct (sportsmanship) a significant part of its mission. “A commitment to maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct and sportsmanship” is one of the six core values of the NSCAA. A Code of Ethics and Conduct was approved by the NSCAA Board of Directors in 2001. If you have never seen it or would like to get a copy, it can be found by going to NSCAA.com, using the “About the NSCAA” link and then clicking the “NSCAA Code of Ethics” related link. The 12 points listed in the Code of Ethics and Conduct are extremely challenging, but well worth pursuing. Various descriptors used in the 12 points include respect, enjoyment, responsibility, dignity, grace, honesty, composure and honor.
There seems to be a growing disconnect between the number and severity of red card ejections and the standards of conduct that are listed in the NSCAA Code of Ethics. Too many of the reports describe unbelievably poor sportsmanship, if not vicious behavior. Having more than 2,000 red card ejections a year in intercollegiate soccer is too many. If 10 percent of matches involve a red card, the quality of soccer is being compromised (playing up or down a player can alter the flow of the match significantly). Abusive or violent play is damaging the image of the game for fans and putting the safety of players at risk. We ought to take concrete steps to reverse the trend for the sake of the game of soccer. The red card problem must be addressed at all age groups and competition levels.
As a way of encouraging coaches to make closer connections between the NSCAA core values and actions around the soccer field, I have provided a list of summary statements taken from emails I have received from recent NSCAA Ethics/Sportsmanship Award of Merit winners. Although these ideas are from college coaches, their methods and ideas could assist coaches of any age groups.
• Start with recruiting and screening players’ character and attitude
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of mutual respect
• Pre-season talk emphasizing respect for officials, opposition and fans
• One of the major team goals is to win the ethics/sportsmanship award
• Focus on a faith-based perspective – there are bigger things than the game
• Imperative to refocus on the game after a foul and play transition soccer
• Pre-game habit is to shake hands with the opposing team
• No swearing at practice or be disciplined for the lack of discipline
• Stress/demand/enforce a high standard of behavior at practice and games
• All teaching is done in the context of values that players are expected to display in all situations
• Practice self-control, and play within the spirit of the rules
• Establish a climate in which doing the right thing is expected
• Players are graded down in post-game if they talk back to officials
• Additional discipline/punishment for poor behavior beyond the rules
• Respect the game, and treat opponents as you would want them to treat you
Several common threads are woven throughout those bullet points. These teams have been successful in the ethics/sportsmanship area because they have made sportsmanship and ethical behavior a priority and are very deliberate in their efforts. I would encourage all coaches to begin to establish a culture within your team, conference and national affiliation that has a closer connection to the NSCAA Code of Ethics. Coaches must lead the way in raising the standard of conduct and behavior. Planning, promoting, rewarding and modeling proper conduct on and off the field during practice and matches, along with recognizing and disciplining improper conduct, will greatly enhance the value of the great game of soccer.
NSCAA members have an opportunity and responsibility to influence those coaches and programs they compete against in a positive way. Even though this article is driven by college data and information, sportsmanship and ethical behavior affects all of us. Make it a priority in your team and organization. You, your players, your schools, your fans and the game of soccer will benefit if we continually stress the importance of ethical behavior and good sportsmanship.
I am compiling a database of soccer groups that emphasize and reward those players, coaches and teams that exemplify high standards of conduct and ethical behavior on and around the soccer field. If you know of any youth, club, high school, college or professional team or soccer organization that promotes this important core value of the NSCAA, please contact me (Crossman@covenant.edu).
Editor’s note: Brian Crossman is an associate professor of physical education at Covenant College (Ga.). An NSCAA member for 27 years, he has coached college soccer for 23 years and also is the director of soccer of the Lookout Mountain Soccer Association.
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