Daniel E. Doyle Jr.: Honoring Senators Pell and Chafee on Sportsmanship Day


01:00 AM EST on Tuesday, March 2, 2010

By DANIEL E. DOYLE JR.

Today is the 19th Annual National Sportsmanship Day. Thousands of schools in the U.S. and abroad will celebrate the day by engaging in discussions about the role of fair play in athletic competition and in our daily lives. The belief that thoughtful dialogue can discourage bad sportsmanship has been the core premise of National Sportsmanship Day since the Institute for International Sport introduced NSD, in 1991.

As we head toward the 20th Anniversary of National Sportsmanship Day in 2011, the institute will be joined by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the Positive Coaching Alliance at Stanford University in a one-year examination of the state of sportsmanship in America. The project will include exploring ways that NSD participants can intensify their commitment to fair play.

Based on 19 years of NSD evaluations, our group will focus on four areas:

• Crowd Behavior: We will challenge conditions or trends that compromise  the importance of fair play. A major focus will be on crowd behavior, perhaps the most egregious example of bad sportsmanship. We will help schools and leagues develop a coherent and practical policy of crowd behavior, and we will encourage student participation in developing their school’s policy. At the core of each school and league policy will be a stated position both necessary and unequivocal: Attendance at a sporting event does not give one the right to indulge one’s most unseemly and potentially harmful behavior.

“Competitive Self • Restraint”: We will call attention to the fact that sport, just like any other major institution, has an obligation to contribute to a civil society. Schools and leagues will be encouraged to foster a culture of “Competitive Self-Restraint” — compete hard but within the rules, respect your opponents, respect the game.

We are a Fair Play • Program: We will encourage coaches to enroll their teams in our new “We Are a Fair Play Program.” Member programs will abide by a culture that honors hard, clean play in competition and recognizes the importance of good behavior at all times. Coaches will be asked to emphasize the extent to which sportsmanship in games influences civil, considerate behavior in everyday life. Fair play engenders respect, maintains positive relationships and simply helps life go much more smoothly than the aggressive talk and profane language that now fill arenas and airwaves. We fully expect that member programs will generate well-earned respect within their schools and communities.

 • Recognition of Exceptional Contribution: On March 1, 2011, in celebration of the 20th anniversary, the Institute will pay special tribute to the late Rhode Island senators Claiborne Pell and John Chafee. In 1989, I approached both senators regarding the creation of a National Sportsmanship Day. Their support included appointing staff members to assist us with the 1989-90 research project on the state of sportsmanship in American schools. The research was the basis for a 1990 press conference in Washington, D.C., hosted by Senators Pell and Chafee, to formally announce the creation of National Sportsmanship Day, including official Congressional recognition.

We will also recognize four groups for their landmark contributions to fair play in America: 20 living Americans, 20 deceased Americans, 20 organizations and 20 schools, the latter of which will be designated as All-American Sportsmanship Schools. A selection committee will spend the next 12 months researching worthy candidates in each category.
The honorees will be admirable examples of how sport, at its best, does indeed contribute to a civil society.

Daniel E. Doyle Jr. is the founder and executive director of the Institute for International Sport, based at the University of Rhode Island, and founder of National Sportsmanship Day.

INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL SPORT NEWS Volume 3, Number 9

19^th Annual National Sportsmanship Day
March 2, 2010
(NSD is always celebrated on the first Tuesday in March)

Pierre Garçon
Chair, 19^th Annual National Sportsmanship Day

• Pierre Garçon named 19^th Annual National Sportsmanship Day Chair (Pierre succeeds Jackie Joyner-Kersee) View press release.

• View details on the 19^th Annual National Sportsmanship Day, considered by many to be the largest sportsmanship initiative in the World. Details include how to enroll your school, team or league.

• USA Today Essay Contest. View information on how to enter. Deadline is February 28.

• The Positive Coaching Alliance at Stanford University, official NSD partner, introduces Responsible Sports Season Evaluation. To view this creative and useful evaluation tool, click on this link: Responsible Sports Season Evaluation.

• From the Institute for International Sport "Recommended Book List". The Institute highly recommends Our Boys by Joe Drape, one of the finest sport-themed books written in a number of years.
  

20^th Year
National Sportsmanship Day Celebration!

We are already preparing for our 20^th year National Sportsmanship Day celebration, which will take place on Tuesday March 1, 2011! Our next newsletter will contain full details. World Youth Peace Summit Update

The World Youth Peace Summit was recognized at a half-time ceremony of the February 13 UConn-Cincinnati men’s basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford. The ceremony included the participation of Congressman John Larson, UConn President Mike Hogan and UConn Trustees Larry McHugh and Tom Ritter. Donald "Dee" Rowe, UConn Special Advisor for Athletics and long-time Institute supporter gave a magnificent speech to the crowd of 15,000 about the Summit and its impact. Look for major World Youth Peace Summit announcements in our next newsletter.

Huge Global Reaction to 2011 World Youth Peace Summit and World Scholar-Athlete Games

On a global scale, The Institute for International Sport is receiving an overwhelming number of emails, letters and calls regarding the 2011 World Youth Peace Summit and World Scholar-Athlete Games.

Key Dates

• February 13, 2010: The World Youth Peace Summit will be recognized at a half-time ceremony of the nationally televised UConn-Cincinnati Men's Basketball game at the XL Center in Hartford, CT.
• March 1, 2010: Applications for participation in the 2011 World Scholar-Athlete Games will be made available on the Institute website, www.internationalsport.com. Applicants ages 15-19 as of June 1, 2011 are eligible to apply.
• April 2010: The Institute for International Sport will host the inaugural Connecticut Peace Lecture at the Gampel Pavilion on the campus of the University of Connecticut. The major speaker will be announced on or about March 1.
• April 15, 2010: Applications for participation in the 2011 World Youth Peace Summit will be made available on the Institute website and World Youth Peace Summit website, www.youthpeacesummit.org.
• May 15, 2010: Applications for participation in the World Youth Peace Summit and/or World Scholar-Athlete Games as a volunteer or coach will be posted on both websites.
• Other major events scheduled for 2010 will include the World Youth Peace Summit honors dinner at the Mohegan Sun on October 22, 2010.
• The Institute is also planning a major 25^th anniversary dinner, scheduled for April 2011 in Rhode Island, and featuring an internationally renowned speaker.

Interested in the WYPS/WSAG?

Simply Email us at iis102@etal.uri.edu. We will be sure to keep you posted on developments.

Linking our Past with our Future

A wonderful Boston Globe Photo Journal, which appeared following the 2006 World Scholar-Athlete Games, provides an important link between our past and our future work in world peace.

Peace on Display

Differences put aside when students gather for Games

By Stan Grossfeld

Boston Globe, July 4, 2006

South Kingston, R.I. - On a soft summer day when representatives from around the world gathered in the tiniest state, a beautiful thing happened. The Iraqi coach embraced an Israeli student-soldier at the 2006 World Scholar-Athlete Games.

"I was very impressed by him," Tair Kowalsky, a 20-year old Israeli college student, said of Basel Al Harbi. "We took a picture and we hugged.

"Peace on earth," she said smiling.

Over the course of a week, 1,900 students from 157 countries and all 50 states came together to live, play, and learn from one another on the campus of the University of Rhode Island in a program sponsored by the nonprofit Institute for International Sport, which is based at the University.

On June 26, at World Peace and Non-Violence Day, former president Bill Clinton was the keynote speaker. The Jumbo-tron flashed the famous photo of a teenage Clinton meeting President John F. Kennedy at the White House. Clinton told today's teenagers that diversity is a good thing. "You're having more fun today than if you all looked alike and thought alike, and you're going to learn a lot more than if you all looked alike and thought alike," he said, followed by an ovation.

The Globe talked to athletes from countries that have undergone conflict to see how sports can heal the wounds of war.

Gareth Brown, 18 Northern Ireland: "I've always been an outgoing person, but this has got me more outgoing. I was at something like this in Belfast but it was smaller. When I came here and saw 2,000 people, I went, 'Gee, this is good.'

"I'm Catholic. Where I come from Protestants and Catholics, there's the troubles. But I go to an integrated school and I don't really care about that. Two weeks ago I found I had a friend who was a Protestant. I thought he was a Catholic.

"If you love the game of sport, you don't really care about religion. The whole point is to get along with everybody. So it's not worth coming here if you're thinking, 'I hope I don't get no Protestant 'cause I'm going to wale him.' Sport brings a lot of people together. It brings sense into their heads about what religion you are. The point is, just get along."

Surekha Rodrigo, 14 Sri Lanka: "When I was born, the war was going on. I've never known anything different. I've lived in a country that's been in a state of uncertainty for 20 years now and I don't know anything different from that. The peace treaty signed in 2001 is not being followed. The LTTE (Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam) wants a separate country, so there's still bombings and land mines. I don't hate people in my country. I think we should live together because in my country there's many adversaries and a union is the best thing. It's still an uncertain state.

"I don't know if it will directly help my country but bringing students from around the world like this will allow more cultural and political understanding of what's going on in the world. It will help over time.

"Sports is a good way for release, a way for people to get their energy out. I don't think sports is too emphasized here. I think everyone should be enrolled in it. When I'm swimming, I don't think about anything else.

Peter Malual, 19 Sudan: "I have been playing sports for as long as I can remember. When I didn't have a job, I'd just play to keep me happy.

"During my journey every day was a worse day, but you just go to make it out there. I lost a lot of friends, a lot of them. I walked hundreds of miles. I brought nothing. I came to the United States they gave me shoes to get in the plane. I flew out of Kenya.

"Right now I'm in Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College. Playing with people from different countries motivates me. Maybe by playing with them they can understand me and then from there on we can grow. I know some people from Chile and from Ghana, in Africa, and that's how the unity starts. We start talking about it on the field and then carry it on out. It won't hurt trying."

Rawi Awayed, 17 Nazareth, Israel: "I am enjoying the games and having a great time. I'm studying photography. All the people I met from the USA, they are nice people. Before I arrived I was afraid because I am an Arab, but the participants here don't have a problem if I was Arab or Jew or Muslim. The Israelis we came with are very nice. At first when we met on the plane we weren't so friendly, but now we're so good. I like them, I have fun with them. I don't know them in Israel, so I can't judge them as bad soldiers.

"I got into a Cisco computer program set up by a Jewish man. Now I am friends with them and send them e-mails. I discovered that the Jews want to have peace, especially in Israel so they can be comfortable in their personal life. Jews are wonderful and supportive so I know now that Jews are not bad.

"Two years ago there was a soccer program between Arabs and Jews. I participated in that, and we became friends with the Jews. But when you're off the field, their political opinions sometimes annoy you. I try to be optimistic about the future. You know, for sure, if we put aside our religious stuff and political stuff, it will be a better environment to live in."

Tair Kowalsky, 20 Tel Aviv, Israel: "I don't meet terror every day. I don't go in the street and someone shoots at me. I'm going to parties and the beach, and the military. The life is so different there. This is a chance to explain my country. You will enjoy it. There's nothing bad there. There is terror, but you can go through it.

"What can I tell you? It's always in the back of my head.

"One of the things I can take back with me is that you can treat people as individuals and not judge them by their culture or territory. Like two kids who come from Nazareth. I don't know Arab kids. I don't get a chance to meet them. I don't have any contact with them. But I met those two and she's a really sweet girl and he's a bright guy. They wouldn't harm a fly. So you need to judge people individually and you can open your mind to things like this. Sports and arts are the basis of peace."

Rose Albert, 15 Haiti: "These games are about friendship. I meet other people and learn about other cultures. We're here as a group to learn together. I'm going to try. I don't think I can do it by myself, everybody has to do a part.

"In Haiti, when people are burning houses, when they are mad about something, they don't talk. We don't really have the freedom to speak, so they burn something. I don't think it's good.

"Sports can bring peace because a lot of people love sports."

Senia Abderahman, 18 Western Sahara: "It's a very special experience. Every second person you talk to is from a different country. Western Sahara is in northwest Africa, it's occupied by Morocco. (But) I've never been to Western Sahara. I was born in the refugee camps in Algeria and I live in a refugee camp in Algeria. My parents were fleeing the Moroccans in '75. I don't hate the Moroccans. The classic answer is this is not people's problem. It's more a political and governmental problem. I haven't met the person here from Morocco yet. Hopefully I'm not going to say, 'You are my enemy.' Of course not.

"Whenever I spoke to someone, they never heard of Western Sahara. Therefore they will become more and more aware. They are the future leaders, they can affect their governments in the future. They can be very important people and therefore find solutions to these problems.

"I've never been on any volleyball team. I'm much better in running long distance. Here, it's about trying to understand each other, not as much about winning or losing."

Former President Bill Clinton, Keynote Speaker: "I kind of wish this program was available when I was your age. I might have been a better athlete, and later avoided heart surgery for all I know. If only I'd had the chance.

"Our differences do matter. Some of us are blacks, some white, some brown or some other pigment. Some of us are Christian, some Muslim, some Jews, some Buddhist, some Confuciusists. Some of us are liberals, some conservatives. These differences are good. First of all, they make life more interesting. Our differences aid the search for truth. Because since none of us knows everything, it's only by listening to people with different perspectives, arguing, discussing, cheering while we go, that we ever make any progress. So our differences matter but our common humanity matters more. That's the only thing you have to believe to bring the world together.

"And all these wars, amid all this killing and all these people dying in every country. They're all dying because the people that killed them believe our differences are more important than our common humanity, that our differences define our humanity.

"You are the first to come of age in a time of global interdependence. You can't get away from one another, but you can hold hands and make sure that your children and your grandchildren and your great-grandchildren will also have a chance to live their dreams.

"If you engage in athletics, every time you compete you know you might lose. If you were paralyzed by that, you'd never compete. And if you never win a championship, you're better off for having competed. You're healthier, you're stronger, you understand teamwork. You understand discipline. Your mind works better. The act, the effort enhances the quality of your life. Everything else is like that, too. I'm 60 years old, almost. I go back to all my high school reunions, the saddest people are those that never tried to live their dreams.

"So, my advice is to try."

THE PASSING OF A GREAT MAN

On December 14, Joe Lane, legendary athlete, coach and Alumni Director at St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, MA, passed away, after battling cancer for 34 years.

On November 2, 2002, Dan Doyle delivered the following speech at a testimonial dinner in Worcester in honor of his high school coach and life-long mentor.

MR. LANE

In the winter of 1956, my dad, St. John’s Class of ’32, and Dr. Jim Morrison, St. John’s Class of ’33, took me to my first basketball game. The game was played on Temple Street – St. John’s against St. Peter’s – and I was able to observe the first great coach I would ever see – Bob Devlin – and the first great player – Joe Lane. I, of course, had no idea that this star athlete would have such a profound impact on my life – and embody so many of the admirable qualities that bring us here tonight in his honor.

For those of us fortunate to have played for him at St. John’s, Mr. Lane became a dominant figure in our lives affecting us in ways that as teenagers we sensed were important – and as adults appreciated as invaluable.

Perhaps the first lesson we learned was that the rules would be followed – and not only when convenient. Many of you will recall that the St. John’s Basketball uniform included high red knee socks that were not of the designer category. Before one game at Sacred Heart, I approached my coach and said, “Mr. Lane, my mother forgot to pack my red socks.”

“It’s not your mother’s responsibility to pack your red socks,” he replied. “It’s your responsibility, and you won’t be starting tonight.”

And when I responded with the hubris of youth – I was informed that I would not be starting the following game as well.

Of the many great things he did for us, perhaps his most enduring gift was fostering in all of his players a true sense of self-reliance.

Long before mis-guided educators began to create self-esteem programs in which the main objective is to dole out praise regardless of actual accomplishment, our coach understood – and made us understand – that praise should be earned.

And in the best tradition of the firm and fair coach, he made us realize that it was our job to climb the ladder. We also knew that holding the base of the ladder was a strong and good man urging us up – and rooting us on.

If you ask Gerry or Brian O’Brien, or Jimmy Kelly, or Steve Lahey, or Sully, or David Creen, or Luke Dillon, or any of the guys who played for him, they will acknowledge his contribution to their self-reliance, as they will tell you of its great utility – particularly when forced to carry one of life’s inevitable millstones.

I have often said that Joe Lane is one of the few coaches I have ever observed who would have succeeded at any level of competition – high school, college, or professional – he was that good. He learned the game under two of the best – Bob Devlin and Andy Laska – and he possessed every quality required of a great coach. I am also of the view that there is nothing parochial about the notion that the St. John’s coaching tree of Devlin, Lane, Bibaud, and Foley will stand with any – not only in this region – but in the country.

When I became a college coach, one of the first things I did was to ask my coach to become our chief scout. I knew of his great skill in breaking down an offense or a defense. I soon discovered that he could project a high school player as a college prospect as well as anyone I have ever seen.

I would have enjoyed watching him continue in coaching, but I’m glad he chose not to, because it would have taken him away from a job he was born to do. St. John’s has made many wise appointments over the years, but none more wise than the 1981 appointment of Joe Lane as alumni director.

From the time he accepted this position, every St. John’s graduate or family member who entered the school grounds was made to feel welcome – and special. He knew your name, he knew your year, he knew what you were doing, he cared about what you were doing and he made you feel good about being an important member of the St. John’s family.

As many of you know, tonight’s honoree defines the true meaning of friendship. As a high schooler, I began to notice that his good friends like Herby Dyson, Georgie Reidy, Connie Lucey, Franny Lee, and his wonderful assistant coach at St. John’s, John Case, were terrific guys who seemed to take an extra interest in us – because we were Joe Lane’s boys.

I later took notice of how he consistently demonstrated a form of friendship that is at the very essence of his own selflessness and loyalty. Whether relating the great accomplishments of Peter O’Malley, or Jack Shields of the Class of ’56, of Jimmy Frew of the Class of ’95, or of Matthew O’Malley of the Class of ’99, the goodwill in his voice left no doubt that their successes were as important to him as if they were his own.

Of the many wonderful things he has done in a life of good deeds too numerous to list, those which may stand above the rest are his countless acts of kindness. Whether facing the loss of a loved one, or news of a serious illness, his gifts of time are treasured by many here this evening – and still many others in this community. I need not tell those of you who have dealt with a difficult experience – that just having Joe Lane around somehow made you feel that everything would be all right.

Mrs. Lane, Joey and Sean, I know that I speak for everyone here tonight in relating our affection for you – and our gratitude for sharing this great man with us over the years.

There is an old saying that, “The best use of one’s life – is to spend it on something that outlasts it.” No one embodies these words more than tonight’s honoree.

My dear friend, let me conclude by saying what everyone else is thinking – that you’re the best – and that we are privileged to be with you on this great night.

I thank you for allowing me to share these thoughts – and I thank all of you for listening.

Great Momentum!

Since the October 28 World Youth Peace Summit Ambassadors of Peace kickoff dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria, the Institute for International Sport has been inundated with emails, calls and letters from people throughout the world expressing interest in the 2011 World Youth Peace Summit, the 2011 World Scholar-Athlete Games - or both. In the coming months, the Institute will continue its efforts to build momentum for both events.

On December 14, 2009, Dan Doyle delivered a keynote address at an international peace conference in Amman, Jordan. The conference welcomed delegations from a great many countries. The conference organizers, a distinguished partnership of universities and other peace brokers, encouraged the many delegations to attend the 2011 World Youth Peace Summit.

In January, the Institute will formally announce plans for a major Connecticut “launch” peace lecture. The launch peace lecture will be held in the Gampel Pavilion at the University of Connecticut in April. The lecture will feature an internationally renowned speaker, and will be the first of many peace lectures to be delivered in Connecticut in 2010 and 2011, leading up to the opening ceremonies of the World Youth Peace Summit in July, 2011.

A number of other momentum building events will be posted on this website in January.

World Youth Peace Summit “Ambassadors of Peace” Dinner Deemed “Historic”

On October 28, the Ambassadors of Peace Dinner’s keynote speaker, General Colin Powell, captured the feeling in the main ballroom of New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel when he began his brilliant address by noting that “this is a historic night.”

And it was!

An overflow crowd listened with rapt attention as General Powell talked about the importance of the Summit as a facilitator of peace on global scale. A highlight of the night was the recognition of 25 distinguished honorees and two very special honorees.

The Twenty-Five Honorees

The Institute for International Sport recognized the following individuals, couples or organizations on October 28 for their great support of the World Youth Peace Summit and their noble contribution to society. Twenty-five honorees were chosen to help commemorate the upcoming 25th anniversary of the founding of the Institute for International Sport, which will be celebrated on July 1, 2011, in conjunction with the opening of the World Youth Peace Summit.

• Roy M. Bell
• Sanford Cloud, Jr.
• Charles Dewey
• Sandy and Sam Hamilton
• Beverly and Jack Keigwin
• Kingswood-Oxford School and Head of School Dennis Bisgaard
• Leslie and The Honorable John B. Larson
• The Honorable Patrick Lynch and William Lynch
• Linda and Joe Malone
• Stephen M. Marcellino
• Gina and James McCaffrey
• Janet D. and John H. McClutchy, Jr.
• Sean McManus
• The Mohegan Tribe
• Charles H. Moore, Jr.
• Sean Moran
• New York Catholic Youth Organization ~ Alec McAuley and Chris Gallagher
• Kathleen P. and Kevin O’Connor
• Derek Bryson Park
• Caryl and William F. Plunkett, Jr.
• Sandra and Carl D. Rapp
• Sheila and Mike Reiner
• The University of Connecticut and President Michael Hogan, Board of Trustees Chairman Lawrence D. McHugh

Two Very Special Honorees

Along with the twenty-five honorees listed above, Alan Hassenfeld of Hasbro Inc., and Chair of the Institute’s Scholar-Athlete Games Programs, and Russ Hogg, former CEO of MasterCard, and Chair Emeritus of the Institute’s Board of Trustees, were honored for their longstanding support, and for their key roles in making the World Youth Peace Summit become a reality.

Our Updated Website

On December 1, this website, as well as the specially designed World Youth Peace Summit website (www.youthpeacesummit.org) will contain a full review of the historic Ambassadors of Peace Dinner, as well as video clips from speeches by General Powell, Dan Doyle, and Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch.

Media Reaction

The dinner produced significant media reaction, including a discussion about the World Youth Peace Summit on ABC’s “The View.” Elisabeth Hasselbeck-Filarski, who attended the dinner, spoke very highly about the concept and about General Powell’s speech. Clippings have appeared in numerous print sources as well.

A Tribute to Paul Newman

by Dan Doyle

At the Bates College Parents Weekend in October 1969, my mom and dad took me to a local steakhouse, and then to the movie, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”. Perhaps as much as any era in American history, it was a period in which the views of college students differed sharply from those of their parents. Yet by the end of the movie, with a full house made up largely of Bates parents and their offspring, everyone seemed quite happy to be in each others company.

Never before – or since – have I attended a film that produced such utter joy for those present. When the movie ended, the old theater erupted in thunderous applause. The two leading men, a splendid cast, and a marvelous script had taken us away from our day to day concerns and disagreements, united us in appreciation for cinema at its best, and led us all to reflect on the values the film espoused – good humor, goodwill, self-effacement and friendship.

On the way out of the theater, I knew I had watched a superstar practice his craft at the highest level. I had no idea that for millions of us, Paul Newman would one day become the very embodiment of an exemplary life.