Mailbox: Who is to blame for the ugly decline in sportsmanship, respect for the game?
Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.
On sportsmanship
To Brian: For many of us, the beloved game of basketball has slowly and surely gone into the depths of despair. Witnessing things like the two Georgia girls' basketball teams brawling and then getting banned from the 4A basketball tournament and then watching the LSU-South Carolina debacle only makes one wonder, "What is 'sportsmanship' coming to?" As basketball has gotten more and more physical, and trash talk continues to increase, it's no wonder that players lose their tempers. In the SEC championship game, the commentators said, "With all the mouthing and talking, we were hoping it would not escalate into something like this." But, should any rational person be surprised? Players are allowed - and sometimes even encouraged - to not back down, not be intimidated, not be disrespected.
The physicality gets a little worse every year, as does the trash talk. It could, and should, be stopped but it can only be stopped by the adults, and there are fewer adults in the arena every year. Videos show fans jumping onto the floor to try to join the fights. In the case of the SEC game, the ejected players leaving the floor were getting high fives from their fans! Listen to the postgame comments from the two coaches and note the different takes.
Years ago the OHSAA, under the direction of Clair Muscaro, had a tag line "Respect the Game." Respecting the game is something that must be taught, like boxing out, shooting, ballhandling, etc. And who is there to teach those skills to our athletes? Yes, the coaches and the game officials. Any coach knows that officials set the tone of the game early. The good ones set the tone that physicality and bad mouthing are not going to be allowed. It's amazing what a couple of foul calls early can do for the tone of the game - or an early technical foul for bad mouthing.
But the real tone is set in practice by the coaches. If a coach allows trash talk in practice, it will inevitably carry over into games. Likewise with physicality. Effective coaches don't allow it in practice and they surely don't allow it in games. It's well past time for more adults - coaches, officials, commentators and fans − to stand up for proper conduct and sportsmanship in all sports.
Alan Summers
On Ohio State basketball
To the editor: Ohio State fouls - 27, Illinois fouls - 12. I’ve been playing and watching basketball for over 50 years and haven’t witnessed as poorly an officiated game in all my time. It seemed the Illinois game plan in the second half was to get the ball to Richardson and have him barrel into our front line and draw a foul most every time.
It was like a fullback in football just ramming into the line and then benefiting with a defensive foul. It was clear even in slow motion that Richardson would elbow an OSU defender in the neck on his charge to the basket several times and draw a foul on OSU. When has basketball become football?
Paul Racher
To the editor: Coach Diebler should sue OSU for not being given a fair shot. He is being discriminated against because of lack of bench experience. This is wrong, and a savvy lawyer litigator should be able to persuade a judge this is unlawful, a violation of rights and just plain wrong.
Michael Oser, Columbus
To the editor: Keep Diebler. He’s doing a great job! He deserves to be coach!
John Rapach
To the editor: Hire Jake Diebler for the next OSU basketball coach!!
Ronda L. Cronley
To all the Diebler fans out there: Diebler is indeed getting a shot at the job and will get an interview. He has had an impressive run. The question is whether Ohio State wants to make a bigger splash with a bigger, more proven name.
On sports gambling
To Brian: With gambling now legal, it seems like so many have turned into Pete Rose. If these operations were willing to offer a $200 credit to get you started, that's sure a red flag to me that they believe they'll get that back and then more. Actor Mickey Rooney used to relate the cautionary tale of how he lost $2 at a racetrack his first visit and then would eventually lose a million dollars trying to get it back.
Dennis Singleton, Dayton
On sports writing
To the editor: I was fooled by the master of sports journalism fools. The headline intrigued me, "Big Ten, SEC sending college football toward iceberg." The article contained enticing phrases such as, "frozen in shock," "over the inevitable," "loss of life," "stunned and saddened," "may go unheeded," and "most damaging of all." I mistakenly thought The Dispatch had an epiphany and is allowing one of its most intellectual and existential sports writers to finally address how college sports need to be held accountable for its devastating impact on the global environment. I was bamboozled on two accounts: Rob Oller (the tackling dummy of Dispatch sports journalists) authored the article and the content had no ecological content. Yet, the article eventually arrived at a focus on one Ohio cultural value: greed in college sports. The esteemed Dispatch leadership has the fortitude to assign journalism that meshes sports and the greenhouse effect.
Dan Finn, Worthington
To Dan: For the record, I have never tackled Rob Oller. I wasn't aware that was allowed.
On Michigan football
To the editor: Our granddaughters (8 and 10) are visiting us in Peoria for spring break. They are from Corpus Christi, Texas. On the way home from a birthday dinner one says, “Everyone knows Michigan cheated. Is anything going to happen to them?” Good question, I said, let’s hope so.
Ritchey Hollenbaugh, Peoria, Arizona
On the high cost of sports
To Brian: What bothers me most in sports is the desire for more (money). For fans, this means higher prices for tickets, concessions and parking. How many can really afford a live matchup? But "more" is also evidenced by extended schedules: The NFL to 17 games (by just 60 votes - too narrow). In college basketball, it's more games, less rest; a 4½-month fast-paced marathon for the student-athlete. The majority of December bowl games please few, showcasing the mediocrity of average teams. How does Miami (Fla.) trade the beach for the Bronx? Recent conference expansion adds to the difficulty of winning a title. Now the CFP has expanded to 12 to find a true champion. Better? NIL makes no dent in advertising. (Sponsors) just acknowledge the player, rewarding them accordingly when earned. No cars.
As college sports becomes more professional, is it more divisive (haves and have-nots)? Will it shun discretion and become too much of a good thing? Or is sports, in general, simply an issue of supply and demand? Money is the driver. Viewership and attendance hold the purse. TV crews, sportscasters and writers provide the entertaining coverage and a place to escape; continual acrobatics on display year-round. Regardless, my call for reduction is going nowhere. (Perhaps someone could salvage the shiny St. John's floor?) Sound the horn, blow the whistle and start the "Madness." I need an escape.
Larry Cheek, Dublin
More from the Mailbox:
Support for Jake Diebler as Ohio State coach, and for a move to St. John Arena
Ohio State football coaches wrong for playing injured LB Eichenberg vs. Michigan?
Why isn't Ohio State basketball elite? And why not give Jake Diebler a chance?
Should Ohio State call Dawn Staley in basketball coach search?
New Ohio State AD Ross Bjork shouldn't let timing get in way of coaching changes
Reader calls for 'no trash talk' truce between Ohio State, Michigan football fans
Ohio State football fans aren't going to let Michigan's boasting go unanswered
Hail to the Victors! Michigan football fans have their say to Ohio State fans
Readers come to defense of former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord
Syracuse football fan thanks Ohio State's Ryan Day for the gift of Kyle McCord
Get more Ohio State basketball news by listening to our podcasts
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mailbox: Who is to blame for the ugly decline in sportsmanship?
