Abstract This paper discusses how business is nothing but a sport, where winning comprises of gaining points in shareholder value, market share, profitability etc. and how just like any other sport, winning in the business world requires a motivated, united and committed work force, with a deep-rooted sense of sportsmanship. It examines definitions of the word 'sportsmanship' and shows how they may be applied to the business world and analyzes the relationship between 'sportsmanship' and ethics.
From the Paper "True, personality traits and an individual's ethical standard are difficult to judge during the recruitment process, even with the most rigorous of screening procedures. Which is probably why Corporates look for prospective candidates from other companies or industries which are known for their team spirit and sportsmanlike culture: ?More companies like Photocircuit are enlisting the services of veterans to fill jobs "the military, with its leading-edge technology and spit-and-polish management style, may be the best boot camp around"while learning the art of war, they also learn discipline, teamwork, managing people and delegating tasks? (The Atlanta Journal- Constitution)."
Tags: ethics, market, team, spirit, sport, business
Abstract This paper examines the trait of sportsmanship in cricket in the historical context through the 1970s. The purpose of the paper is to prove that the popularity of the game was in large part due to its use as a mode of communication of appropriate social conduct among the upper classes and, through the popularity of the game, to the lower classes as well.
From the Paper "Cricket and the British Empire Introduction Cricket has always been deemed a "gentleman's game" due to an emphasis on fair play and appropriate conduct both for the players and the spectators. The game is heavily legislated, consisting of traditional laws and supplemental rules and policies that cannot be violated by any participant. The overwhelming context of cricket is one of order; while the game itself is intended to be enjoyable for its participants and its audience, a good game of cricket is embedded as much in its social interactions as the sport itself. When examined in a historical context, these traits in a simple sporting event suggest a set of priorities within the civilization that created the game. The popularity of the game emerged during the Victorian period, when civilities were a priority among the upper classes."
Abstract This paper analyzes the leadership style of Vince Lombardi. It seeks to explain how his early upbringing and the events of his youth influenced him and eventually led him, almost by chance, to his true calling as a football coach. Lombardi is presented as a transformational leader who imposed his own vision of excellence in performance upon team members, while respecting each member as an individual and winning their loyalty and admiration. The paper asserts that his approach to competition and winning is defended against claims of some latter-day critics that Lombardi placed winning above sportsmanship and love of the game. In conclusion, the paper argues instead that the will to achieve peak performance and winning was, to Lombardi, inseparable from sportsmanship, and a natural consequence of love of the game.
Outline:
Introduction
Situation and Environment
Analysis of Lombardi's Leadership Style
Annotated Bibliography
From the Paper "From the very outset, Vince Lombardi acquired and displayed one leadership characteristic with which he would always be associated---a strong belief in the importance of winning against all odds. Regarding the circumstances of his early upbringing as the first-born son of an upwardly mobile Italian-American butcher, David Maraniss observes: "[His parents] worshiped their first son more year by Year. . . . .His family stressed to him that being average was not enough, that he was better than the rest. They played to win, from Grandma Izzo at cards to Father Harry at Scrabble.... No one wanted Vince to spend his life cutting meat" (1999, 22-23)."
Abstract Whether it is baseball or hockey, golf or tennis, sports promote the healthy competitive nature of the human spirit. With this competition, however, comes confrontation and disputes. Excessively violent activity is unavoidable to some degree, but as of late ,it is becoming more and more common. Violence on and off the field ends up in the media, which only leads to more violence, as people are exposed to it on a more regular basis. This paper shows that overt violent acts committed by professional athletes are becoming more acceptable as their numbers increase, and the problem has already begun to spill into youth sporting events as children emulate their role models. The paper argues that this pattern of violence among athletes needs to be stopped as soon as possible and, if not, the problem will continue to grow and further erode the moral fabric of this nation. The paper argues that sportsmanship and better values need to be more strongly emphasized in today's sports so that the next generation will adopt a less callous and more rewarding attitude towards the games they love to play.
From the Paper "To curb these influential and harmful actions taken by professionals, and help reverse the trend seen in our children's games, athletes need to be properly punished. The consequences for committing violent acts are not nearly threatening enough to deter professional athletes from committing them. Fining players a few thousand dollars, or even a few hundred thousand dollars is not going to effect them if they are making millions of dollars a year. Kobe Bryant was suspended for only one game after throwing a punch in the middle of a game against Boston (Wise). Suspending players is a promising penalty, but, judging by the fact that the pattern is only getting worse, it is not enough. It may be necessary to start filing criminal charges for on field actions performed by any athletes."
A discussion on the pros of athletic scholarships, the fund-raising projects involved, the scholarship recipients and the way in which higher education becomes available to students that may not have had this opportunity.
Abstract The following paper examines why athletic scholarships are the ultimate way to finance the survival of college athletic teams and the athletes who play competitively on the athletic teams education. The writer asserts that scholarships teach the athletes about competition although competition is discouraged. This paper argues that athletic scholarships bring out the best in students, teaches good sportsmanship behavior, and with the NCAA academic requirements, teaches teenagers responsibility and to keep their priorities in order.
From the Paper "Athletic Scholarship programs are funding provided through donations, fundraises, federal government funds and businesses,to allow the existence of college and university athletic programs, which provide pre-professional athletic training and higher education for gifted athletes who are determined to succeed. Providing scholarship programs for colleges gives athletes the experience and knowledge of the dedication that is required to succeed in athletics, which encourages the athlete to perform at his or best when competing for the scholarships. Colleges highest sources of budget increases is encouraged by the talent and the physical abilities of the athletes on the athletic teams, when they break records at winning games Although athletes may be perceived as academically non-competitive, and the majority of the student body and school officials may claim they spend most of their time playing or have unrealistic life goals, but the athletes are the primary reasons why the school gets media attention, and increased budgets to purchase new learning technologies, which provides the necessary funds to invest in advanced and new higher education programs."
Abstract Baseball is America's official past-time, and as such it is far more than a sport. It is an integral part of they country's culture, and in many ways represents the heart and soul of America itself. Baseball is about healthy competition, sportsmanship, teamwork and family entertainment. The paper shows that unfortunately, in recent years, the heroic legacy of Major League Baseball (MLB), and the sacred idol-status of MLB players has been compromised. Unlike the great eras of baseball history, the recent era is not named after joyous baseball events, but rather after an illegal drug. The 'Roid Era, named after steroid drug use, saw its height between 1998-2003 when home run numbers skyrocketed. The paper argues that steroid use in Major League Baseball is unacceptable, and all records which have been set by players using steroids should be stricken from the record books.
From the Paper "There remains a minority of Americans that believe records of the 'Roid Era should remain intact in baseball history. One defense made in favor of allowing these records to remain is that there have always been "flaws" in baseball, and throughout history the public has turned a blind eye. An example of this includes that Ty Cobb (a legendary baseball player who is in the Hall of Fame) was a racist and murderer; if a murderer can remain in the Hall of Fame, why not steroid users? However, this is a ridiculous defense, because murdering a Black man did not give Cobb an unfair advantage in the game, nor was his racism the reason that he was able to achieve such incredible physical feats."
