Scott Swanson
Athletic Director Steve Brown plans to address the issue of sportsmanship in a all-winter-sports parents meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, in the high school cafeteria.
Though parents’ meetings are standard for each sport for coaches to go over things families need to know and organize snacks for bus rides and other functions, Brown says he wants to get all the parents together to talk about crowd behavior. He said the problem has been brewing.
“After experiencing some pretty unsportsman-like behavior during the fall, I want to make a point that we want to be known for sportsmanship,” he said. “I didn’t get to do it (for fall sports). I should have done it.”
Brown said one example of what is prompting him to bring up the issue was an experience during a volleyball game when he was announcing the opposing team’s line-up.
“The kids in the stands stood and turned their backs on the other team,” he said. “I stopped announcing and told them to turn around. That was not acceptable.”
He said he understands fervent support for local teams, but he said people need to remember that they’re sending a message – and they’re being watched.
“I’ve always said that sportsmanship is better caught than taught,” Brown said.
“Kids learn from their parents’ examples. It’s not like I want to be all-powerful. Come on, I’m just asking people to be good sports. If your kids go to the other schools, you want them to treat your kid well.”
Brown, who has worked at schools throughout Oregon and in Southern California, said he appreciates Sweet Home.
“I love Sweet Home. This is the greatest job I’ve ever had. I love it when fans support our teams.
“I want people to love Sweet Home like I do and not leave with a bad taste in their mouth.
“Just in the name, ‘Sweet Home,’ there’s kind of an expectation. It’s not ‘Evil Home.’”
Brown emphasized that he’s not focusing solely on Sweet Home fans and certainly not all Husky fans.
“Unfortunately, the loudest person is always heard,” he said. “I’ve heard things from other (teams’) fans. But six bucks to hear people rant and rave is six bucks too much.
“I just want to let the parents know I support coaches and their expectation of sportsmanship. I just want our fans to treat people with respect.”