2003 Awards Reception Theme
KNOW YOUR ROLE

"Know Your Role" was the theme for tonight's Citizenship Through Sports Awards Reception. It also is a primary message of the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance (CTSA) and its 12 member organizations in their efforts to help adults who are involved in youth sports put competition in proper perspective.

CTSA is harnessing the power of the most prominent sports organizations in the nation to promote the positive benefits of healthy sports experiences in a well-rounded life. But poor sporting behavior from parents and coaches is threatening to undercut those benefits, by encouraging the wrong values and creating unneeded stress for young people engaged in athletics. An estimated 30 million children play organized sports annually in the United States, yet far too many youngsters turn away from sports because of negative experiences. Many of these bad experiences can be linked to adult role models involved in youth sports.

The "Know Your Role" message focuses on parents' and coaches' unique responsibilities in youth sports. The message was inspired by the lectures of Bruce Brown, special presenter for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Champions of Character Program (and an honoree in tonight's awards ceremony). The message for adults involved in youth sports is this: You can play. You can coach. You can officiate. You can be a fan. But pick one, because you can't do two at once, much less four.

CTSA is promoting its "Know Your Role" message through events such as tonight's awards ceremony and through its member publications, public service announcements, website (www.sportsmanship.org), and sporting events nationwide. The Alliance aspires to motivate parents and coaches to take action to create a healthy sports environment for youth, by providing research, resources, community forums and specific strategies that help parents and coaches in these efforts. The initiative fits well with CTSA's overall mission of utilizing sportsmanship to build respect for traits of citizenship - respect for self, respect for others, and respect for the game, as well as a need to give back to the community.

The Alliance urges guests at June 15th's awards ceremony to follow the example set by tonight's honorees and "Know Your Role" in youth sports.