Deseret News | Competitive spirit can be unattractive

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Competitive spirit can be unattractive

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A.D. | 8:15 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009

Great food for thought Amy. A little reflection is good for the soul.

J.P. | 8:28 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009

Competition is the driving force behind much of the progress achieved by mankind - consider the "space race" for instance. Denouncing competition demonstrates a lack of understanding basic human nature.

Interesting | 11:57 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009

I have been going to the State volleyball tournament for years and I have never seen fans ask another group of fans to move, they just find other seats to sit in.

Comments continue below

Spirit of cooperation | 12:59 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

It’s not competition that “will reveal if we've practiced enough; if we've loved our teammates enough; if we've listened to our coaches; and whether or not we've really overcome our own doubts.”

It’s cooperation that motivates us to all those things.

Sports supporter | 5:18 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

I've been involved in athletics for 40 years now, and I have seen a few bad cases of poor sportsmanship, but I have witnessed so many great examples of the best. I think sometimes that one case can make the whole image look so bleak. I think that we as parents and coaches need to understand that it begins with us. No one said you have to like losing.

Why move?? | 8:07 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

The game was 5 minutes before starting when Rich's boys came in. No where was there signs that said both schools had to share seats. Why should I as a fan have to move. Everybody wants good seats, thats why most people stick around and wait for the good seats. Not to expect to get front row 5 min before the game.

2A fan | 8:13 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

I have to say this is one of the least classy acts that I have seen in all of Highschool Sports. It has always been a common courtesy to split the seats at the State Tournament. However one low class community decides winning is more important than being polite. Not only students, but parents and grandparents alike let competition get a hold of them and acted like children. Congrats to those who played and maybe your fans will grow up sometime...

To Ms. Donaldson: | 8:17 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Just for future stories ma'am: Get the whole story.

Re 2a fan | 8:29 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

You got it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous | 8:34 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

What I was wondering is why Altamont's parents and grandparents were the ones sitting front row. The student bodies usually are the ones who sit there. This isn't the first low class thing Altamont has done and it won't be the last!

Springville | 8:38 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Just wanted to say how classy Woods Cross was in the 4A soccer tournament game against Springville. We sat by a father from Woods Cross the whole game. He was very courteous and after we talked to a lot of the parents from Woods Cross. They wished us good luck and were very gracious in defeat. Very classy. Sometimes we only hear about the bad, when there is a lot of good out there.

RE: O.K Amy and other fans | 8:46 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

You should be complaining about how childish the parents and granparents acted from your school! Never before has a team specifically taken the front three rows in an attempt to keep the other teams student body from being able to cheer. Your student body and parents dropped to an all time low. Is winning really that important that you as parents and fans are willing to swear at the opposing teams cheer leaders? Talk about some questionable o.k.? Not only was it low for a student body to act like this but the parents and grandparents from your commuity were apart of it as well!!! Great job with your "O.K." sportmanship

SLC guy | 8:47 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Our society is broken. Sports is just another manifestation. We (parents, society, coaches) have managed to turn the one thing that was the most fair, the most beautiful, sports; into a hate filled mockery.

I know the effort that goes into EVERY team that plays. Some teams work 12 months a year, some teams get thrown together at the last minute. But the effort of the child is the POINT. It's really not about trophies. AND PLEASE, idiot city leagues, PLEASE stop handing out "champion" or "MVP" trophies to every little kid that signs up for a rec. league. It markedly increases the stupidity of the parents. Pretty soon they start to think the trophy is the most important part of it all and lose their kids in the hardware.

IT'S NOT! It's about the relationships that are built. It's about learning HOW to work harder than you thought possible, even when you are dead tired.

It is NOT the destination. It is the journey.

We ALL need to remember that. Even me.

the other side | 9:08 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

all of you that didn't know why the adults were sitting where students "ususally" sit should see what happens at Rich home games.

Rebel fan | 9:13 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

This is a great article. This is something that definately needs to be addressed. This is the first time I have not attended the state volleyball championships for many years, and while I love being from Rich County, there are many times when I have been embarrassed by the comments of my fellow Rebel fans. We need to be better examples to our children and one another. To all those who comment on what poor sports Rich or Altamont have are showing poor sportsmanship themselves. This is something all schools have been guilty of at one time or other, and its time All SCHOOLS AND PARENTS!!! start showing goood sportsmanship. Thanks Amy for bringing this to our attention.

Competition | 9:22 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Brings out the best and the worst. Hopefully those that have a hard time can learn from their mistakes and become better individuals. That is what it is all about.

You will see both at almost every sporting event you go to.

Long live athletics, competition, and people maturing!!

BT | 9:25 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

I've seen examples of poor sportsmanship over the years. Football teams rushing the field to fight, fans taunting and fighting one another after games, fans taunting the losing team after games.
I've also seen examples of good sportsmanship.
I've heard a head coach tell his team to treat their opponents with respect, especially because the other team had lost every game that season. Coaches stepping in front of their athletes to stop them from rushing the field when the other team started a fight on field and telling them to let the officials handle things. Fans writing comments on this newspaper's web site praising their team's opponents for good and fair play.
Sadly, some DO use "the spirit of competition" as an excuse to act totally irresponsible.
I believe that the norm is to be respectful toward opponents. I hope so. I think the reason this incident stands out is because it's unusual for things to go to such extremes.
But then, it's probably the reason football fans are seated on opposite sides of the field from one another, and directed to enter and exit through different gates, far from one another.

Anonymous | 9:34 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

boo all haters of Rich just because they get a bunch of boys who will come cheer and have fun and if we are talking about sportsmanship then think of all the times Altamont put up RIP signs in their gym, just because Rich didnt win the championship they still got 3rd place and that is better than all but 2 other teams in the state so congrats to the rebels

re; slc guy | 9:45 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Thank you!! Sometimes as fans, including me, we get as Amy is refering to...... UGLY!! I don't think its cause we are living in our high school years as some previous comments state. But maybe being protective of the athletes, and when you hear comments being said about young ladies.... it's tough to take. Should of taken the higher road, YES!! But because of previous experiences, felt our girls needed extra back up. Maybe comes down to all administraion being on the same page with sportmanship. And not allow such nonsense to ever start.

re: rebel fan | 9:48 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

I totally agree with you!!! Great comment!!!!

Altamont Player | 9:55 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

As a player on Altamont's team I think this whole thing got blown way out of proportion. So fans were yelling loudly and parents wouldn't move, it's not the end of the world. What matters is that two team went out and played there hardest. I think its unfair that everyone is taking away from the fun of the game and the pure competition with all this bad sportsmanship stuff. LET IT GO!! from both sides. How about we let the kids play hard and the fans cheer hard, because when your on the court you don't hear any of it. So why should you have to when you leave the court?? Both teams played well and thats all that should matter!!!

Altamonty | 10:08 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Ever thought that crowds can be competitive too? maybe instead of just sitting and taking the harsh blows from the crowd, the opposing crowd could have stood up for their team.

small town | 10:19 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

I have been around sports a long time. There is "bad blood" at all levels. However, the smaller schools take the cake! It's town vs. town! Family vs. family! I guess when you have nothing else better to do... HS sports is it! Small town lives are too often defined by wins and losses in HS sports. Gods are created and 'losers' labelled.

Where was Rich's crowd | 10:43 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

During the Panguitch's game you were almost non existent. The only thing you could come up with this year was boo's for the ref's (which did an outstanding job) and air ball. This is not basketball anymore. Panguitch you have a very classy team, studentbody and coaches. Thanks for a great year!

Old Timer | 10:48 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Isn't competition the reason that athletes transfer to different schools to play on better teams? Or as one locally powerful coach said, "The better players gravitate to the better programs." The issue with bad sportsmanship has gradually gotten worse over the years. We have allowed it to get to an unacceptable level. It will take some real focus to get it back under control.

The Obama way | 11:07 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Maybe Obama will abolish competitive sports and "equalize" the playing field in athletics like he is trying to do in everything else. He can take athletes from the good schools and redistribute them to lousy schools and then don't keep score. That should effectively kill all competition and make everything the same - the true spirit of socialism.

2A FAN | 11:20 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED FROM SOME OF THE THINGS I HAVE READ REGARDING THE ACTIONS OF LOSERS. BE THANKFUL FOR THE TEAM THAT WON, YOU CANNOT AND WILL NOT WIN THEM ALL THOSE OF YOU IN THE HIGHR BRACKETT AND THAT IS JUST A NAME, YO HAVE TO WIN THE GAME. I THOUGHT THERE WAS MORE GODLY PEOPLE THAN THIS IN UTAH, BUT NOW I READ FOR MYSELF. THANKS MS. AMY DONALDSON FOR THE BEAUTIFUL WRITE-UPS THAT YOU DO.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL. PARENT BE GOOD EXAMPLE FOR YOUR CHILDREN.

COACH1 | 11:24 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Amen, SLC guy. It's not about the wins, the trophies and the glory. It's about working hard, together for a common goal, loving each other, learning to love each other, respecting teammates, coaches, referees. Winning and losing graciously. It is truly about the journey and not about the destination. The trophies get lost or forgotten about in time but the character of the human soul lasts forever.

Re: ????? | 11:48 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Altamont's #20 may have gotten hit in the face on a great hit by a Rich player but she still made the All-tournament team, something none of the Rich players did.

AHS Parent | 11:53 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009

As a parent who was at the tournament, I think a few things need to be cleared up. For one thing, Rich fans arrived at the game 5 minutes AFTER it was suppose to start. Altamont fans were there early in support of Duchesne who played the previous game, and we stayed, along with Duchesne fans, to cheer on the Altamont girls. When the Rich crowd arrived, they stood at the front row seats, calling our fans names for sitting in the front row. If they had asked civilly, some may have made room for them. Though, at a previous game that day, Rich fans took the entire front few rows and stood the whole game so other fans couldn't see the game. Apparently, it is only unfair if they don't get the front rows. Not to mention, the seats weren't posted as being the Student Section, it was general seating.

Panguitch | 12:11 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

maybe you guys should play some football since you guys think your so good. just a point

Anonymous | 12:26 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

People honestly need to grow up and get lives.... Its just a game get over it!

Altamont fan | 12:28 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

I am a student from Altamont who came to watch our girls play. My two friends and i got there before the Rich fans did, and there was a very few number of front row seats left, in fact barely enough to fit us 3. I felt i had every right to sit there as they did, because i was there to support my team just like they were. Its awesome rich has so many fans come to support, but i didn't think it was fair when they asked me to move because i wanted to watch the game too. I think it got blown way out of proportion tho it really wasn't that big of a deal.

RHS fan | 12:30 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

this is rediculous.... stuff happens get over it... my fellow students at rich should learn that if it were us in there shoes we wouldn't like it very much. please rebels fans try to be more sportsmanlike. try better next year, but what happened has happened and good job for showing your support. we should have been able to sit half and half in the stands but its ok. we went and sat farther up and still showed our spirit. GO REBELS

Anonymous | 12:42 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

I'm amazed it took until 11:07 am before someone got to the root issue facing Utah High School athletics: How and when will Obama further ruin them? In fact, I would bet that it was Barack and his entourage trying to push their way into the front row seats. In Utah, he's blamed for every other problem we are encountering- why not seating at volleyball games?

re:what about the game | 1:06 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Maybe if the paper keeps talking about how unclassy your crowd is you should get the hint and change!

Why compete? | 1:20 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Society has turned everything into a competition. In the not too distant past, cheerleading was to promote school spirit. Now it has nothing to do with cheering and everything to do with completing routines with words and stunts(which are not very safe.) Why can't some things just be done for enjoyment, participation, and activity without having to be a competition?

to Small Town 10:19 am- | 1:24 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Remember this truth- It's better to write nothing and appear to be a fool, than to write something and remove all doubt.

Finally | 1:57 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Finally Finally...Thank you Amy! Your story hit, something I have been trying to describe for years now. Isn't it all just way sad. Sometimes we as humans forget.. its all just a game.

to re: what about the game | 2:20 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

AMEN!!!

I was there | 2:23 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

and saw what happened. It wasn't just one sided. Both schools were at fault but for different reasons. Rich has a good loud crowd of supporters and other schools may not like that but they support their team. At the state championship games (if you really do go year after year) the seats are split half way. Even the people that work at the games have had students move so one side can be filled with the other school. Yes Rich students have been asked to move and they did. At this game Altamont wouuldn't move and that was fine. Rich student body stood up a few rows higher and yes they cheered loud and the Altamont parents and grandparents didn't like it. O well its high school spirit...iths time to get over it. Maybe Altamont needs to take a lesson from Rich and get your student body more involved and support your team the way Rich does! AMEN

RE: RE: ???? | 2:29 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Actually Cassidy McKee from Rich also got that so maybe you should check your facts on that one....

Re: Re: what about the game | 2:33 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Its not the papers complaining about the crowds, its fans that doesnt know how to grow up and get over themselves!

Holly Cow! | 2:36 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Don't you guys understand what is happening? The Altamont fans set in the front, no big deal. The Rebel cheering boys cheered six rows up, no big deal. Everyone having fun. The boys were kidding with the super seniors on the front row the whole game, no big deal. Donaldson is only trying to get everyone's dander up to sell papers! Hello! It is what she does. There were no fights and nothing happening but two schools that were still supporting their teams even though they were not in the championship game which was a first in 23 years. My daughter was very happy that the crowd still cared! Thanks Rebs for supporting her anyway and that is the best team that has ever came out of Altamont in 23 years! Donaldson just last week did a story on Rich and how amazing of a group this same group of boys are for Rich. She is just selling papers. Get over it.

REBEL FAN | 2:37 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

CASSIDY McKEE IS ON THE ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM!!!! She is a sophomore that is an amazing player and deserves it!! Before you go talking your mouth off on what you think is true or not, you better check your facts!!!!!

reply | 2:37 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

#20 may have made the tournament team and yes got hit hard in the face with the ball by a rich player buy what do you mean she made the team and thats better than any rich player??? Did you read who made the team...their is a rich player on there!

AHS | 2:39 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

All of richs fans were very anoying and those two kids who were wistling were about to get beat up, and that one kid just kept screaming and we here at Altamont would like to say that you guys were so unclassy. congrats to 4th place altamont

Re: to Small Town 10:19 am- | 2:43 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Apparently you don't live in a small town or you would know that what that person says is true. When you live in a small town sports are some of the biggest highlights of the school year. There is definatley more pressure and the need to win! Sports are the life of the community..You would only konw that if you lived in a small town. So back off and leave "Small Town" alone becaue what they say is so so true!!

ACM | 2:47 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Yes-it would have shown "common courtesy" and sportmanship if Altamont studentbody and fans would have split the seats, but come on guys----they are Altamont. Did you REALLY expect them to be that accommodating?! I do know one thing--if Rich studentbody would have been there first, they would have left half the seats for the Altamont studenbody! I think for the most part there is much ado about nothing. I was there and I think the bigger error is that Amy Donaldson created a mountain out of a mole hill for her own benefit. She wanted to create drama so she would have something to write about so she did! Shame on you, Amy!!

:) | 2:47 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009

Good job everyone, way to play your hardest :)

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Competitive spirit can be unattractive