LUDA (Lincoln Ultimate Disc Association)
  • Home
  • League
  • Play
    • What is Ultimate?
    • Variations of Ultimate
    • Pick-up Games / Field Locations
    • Area Club and College Teams
  • About
  • Archives
    • 2022 >
      • 2022 Spring League
      • 2022 Winter League
    • 2021 >
      • 2021 Fall League
      • 2021 Summer League
    • 2020 >
      • 2020 Winter League
    • 2019 >
      • 2019 Fall League
      • 2019 Summer League
      • 2019 Spring League
      • 2019 Winter League
    • 2018 >
      • 2018 Fall League
      • 2018 Summer League
      • 2018 Spring League
      • 2018 Winter League
    • 2017 >
      • 2017 Fall League
      • 2017 Summer League
      • 2017 Spring League
      • 2017 Winter League
    • 2016 >
      • 2016 Fall League
      • 2016 Summer League
      • 2016 Spring League
      • 2016 Winter League
    • 2015 >
      • 2015 LollapaLUDA
      • 2015 Fall League
      • 2015 State Games of America
      • 2015 Summer League
      • 2015 Spring League
      • 2015 Winter League
    • 2014 >
      • 2014 Fall League
      • 2014 Cornhusker State Games
      • 2014 Summer League
      • 2014 Spring League
    • 2013 >
      • 2013 LollapaLUDA
      • 2013 Fall League
      • 2013 Summer League
      • 2013 Spring League
    • 2012 >
      • 2012 LollapaLUDA
      • 2012 Fall League
      • 2012 Cornhusker State Games
      • 2012 Summer League
      • 2012 Spring League
      • 2012 Winter League
    • 2011 >
      • 2011 LollapaLUDA
      • 2011 Fall League
      • 2011 Summer League
      • 2011 Spring League
      • 2011 Winter League
    • 2010 >
      • 2010 LollapaLUDA
      • 2010 Summer League
      • 2010 Spring League
    • 2009 >
      • 2009 LollapaLUDA
      • 2009 Fall League
      • 2009 Summer League
      • 2009 Spring League
    • 2008 >
      • 2008 LollapaLUDA
      • 2008 Fall League
    • LUDA Blog
  • [Facebook]
  • [info@lincolnultimate.com]

Spirit, sportsmanship, and setting a good example

6/18/2010

 
When it comes to developing the Ultimate community in Nebraska, and playing the sport in general, I often speak about sportsmanship and unifying the entire community into a big happy family. Few people preach as much about good mojo and sportsmanship as I do. However, I have come to realize that I also need to set a better example, not because I’m a jerk (well, maybe, I don’t know), but because my sense of humor may often be questionable. I’m the kind of guy who quickly becomes comfortable joking around with others, often before others feel the same comfort with me, especially on the Ultimate field. Sometimes I crack jokes that are more strange than funny to some, or I am sarcastic, or I spike a disc, or I say or do something that I don’t really mean, albeit in a joking manner. When I do these things, I assume that my opponents and teammates will know that I am joking, but in reality, it doesn’t always come off that way. 

The other night during league play, an amazing player whom I have had the privilege of playing pickup games and tournaments with on past occasions made a phenomenal play against my team. This player also happens to be one of the nicest, coolest guys you will ever meet. After the play, I gave him what I thought was a good-natured shove in the chest, but apparently I didn’t look as friendly as I intended to. I tried to make a joke instead of simply congratulating him on his amazing efforts, and he was surprised at my actions. Rightly so, I shouldn't have done it, even in jest. I apologized and heaped praise on him, but I also now realize that if I truly want to achieve the goal of good sportsmanship and unity, I need to practice the part every moment, joking or not.

Especially as we strive to bring in new players to the community and grow our youth division, even jokingly spiking a disc, making a sarcastic comment, or worse, is inappropriate. I wouldn’t want our youth players, the future of the Ultimate community, to do those things, and I especially wouldn’t want my own young son, who I like to bring to my Ultimate games, to act that way.

From now on, I will curtail the silly cracks, digs, and spikes and congratulate all of my opponents and teammates for their efforts. LUDA wants to make sure that all players, regardless of skill or experience, feel welcome at our events and come to love the sport and the community as much as we do. I also invite everyone else to show great spirit and sportsmanship on and off the field as the community continues to grow. And play Ultimate!

Thanks,
Baer

Comments are closed.

    The LUDA Blog

    Archives

    October 2011
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009

    Categories

    All
    Beginner
    Beginners Survival Guide
    Blogs
    Community
    Lollapaluda
    Nuggets Of Fantastic Enlightenment
    Sponsorship
    Summer League
    Tournaments
    Ultimate Frisbee
    World Record

Home   |   League   |   About   |   [Facebook]   |   [info@lincolnultimate.com]
Copyright © 2008-2022 -- Lincoln Ultimate Disc Association -- All Rights Reserved