A code of ethics for sports teams and athletics is designed to help all associated with a particular sport to follow the rules and live up to proper standards. In many youth and school sports, coaches, players and family members are required to sign ethics statements promising not to cheat or engage in any unethical or abusive behavior.
Coaches
A coach's code of ethics is perhaps the most important of all. The coach will set the tone for players, family members and the crowd. If a baseball coach is upset with a particular call and he argues and berates the umpire, he does much more than put himself in danger of getting thrown out of the game. He is sending a message to his players that it's OK if they stomp, storm and argue as well. He may have told them not to argue with umpires or opponents, but the example he sets speaks louder than his words.
Players
A code of ethics for players is relatively simple and direct. They may not argue, fight or cause a disturbance over anything that happens during a game. A player who feels wronged by a decision of a referee has every right to feel upset. He can express his feeling to his teammates or his coaches, but he is not supposed to argue or complain to the official. If the coach thinks the player has been wronged, he can bring the manner up to the official in a respectful manner. The official may or may not re-open the call by discussing it with other colleagues. That's where it ends. The player may not demonstrate in any other way.
Family Members and Fans
Family members of players -- most often parents -- may also be asked to sign a code of ethics statement before the start of the season. Parents are often quite emotional watching a child play a team or individual sport. Moments of achievement may have to be reigned in and so may moments of failure. If a child hits a home run, the parent must be careful not to use any language or behavior that demeans the opponent. If an umpire calls a third strike on their child, parents can't berate or scream at the umpire. That type of behavior can make the atmosphere ripe for fights and disputes. Playing sports is a privilege for players and attending the events is a privilege for family members. That privilege can be taken away for abusive behavior.
Goals of Ethics Statement
Sports officials want to give athletes, coaches and family members a healthy environment to play and attend sporting events. Signing an ethics statement makes it more likely that all parties will behave properly. Instead of committing an assault or saying something inflammatory, all parties may remember their commitment to civility and decency that took place when they signed their code of ethics statement.
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