Montana State University-Bozeman
NCAA Athletics Certification
Self-Study 2001-2002
Equity, Welfare and Sportsmanship

Operating Principle

4.4 Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct

It is a principle of the Association that student-athletes, coaches and all others associated with intercollegiate athletics adhere to such fundamental values as respect, fairness, civility, honesty and responsibility. Consistent with the principle, the institution shall:

  1. Demonstrate that in the area of intercollegiate athletics, it is committed to these fundamental values of sportsmanship and ethical conduct.
  2. Have established a set of written policies and procedures for this area.
    3.
  3. Demonstrate that educational activities related to sportsmanship and ethical conduct exist for individuals and groups associated with the intercollegiate athletics experience.
    4.
  4. Provide evidence that the effectiveness of activities in this area are monitored, evaluated and addressed on a continuing basis.
    5.

Self-Study Items

[Note: The NCAA Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct Committee has developed and adopted the following definitions for sportsmanship and ethical conduct:

  • "Sportsmanship" is a set of behaviors to be exhibited by student-athletes, coaches, game officials, administrators and fans in athletic competition. These behaviors are based upon values, including respect, civility, fairness, honesty and responsibility.
  • "Ethical conduct" is a set of guiding principles with which each person follows the letter and spirit of the rules. Such conduct reflects a higher standard than law because it includes, among other principles, fundamental values that define sportsmanship.]

1. Explain how the institution is organized to further its efforts related to the sportsmanship and ethical conduct operating principle on the previous page and provide evidence that matters concerning sportsmanship and ethical conduct are monitored, evaluated and addressed on a continuing basis.

The DIA and the Athletics Administration are committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct and sportsmanship, and to monitoring and addressing sportsmanship and ethical conduct on a continuing basis. To that end the DIA has instituted several procedures and policies to ensure that the University clearly conveys this commitment to its student-athletes, coaches, staff, fans, and alumni. These procedures include:

Distribution of written policies to student-athletes: Sportsmanship and ethical conduct policies are outlined for student-athletes in the Student-Athlete Handbook on pages 4-9. This handbook is distributed to all student-athletes at the first official meeting of the fall semester. Student-athletes who enroll in the spring are also provided with a copy of this handbook. Each student-athlete is required to read and sign a statement indicating that he/she has read and understands the University’s policy with respect to sportsmanship and ethical conduct.

Distribution of written policies to the coaches/staff: At the first coaches’ meeting of the year, the AD reviews the DIA policies on sportsmanship and ethical conduct. A copy of this policy is being included in the forthcoming Policy Manual that is being developed by the AD and the DIA. Goals for sportsmanship and ethical conduct policies are included in the 2002-2007 Equity Plan for Intercollegiate Athletics. (See Appendix IV-B)

Distribution of written policies to boosters, alumni, and season ticket-holders: All boosters receive an annual compliance brochure, which includes the university’s policies on sportsmanship and ethical conduct. In addition, the policies are included in each game program and are posted on the DIA web site (www.msubobcats.com). Plans for further distribution include the departmental newsletter and CAT TRACKS, which is a seasonal publication included in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.

The following statement is read over the public address system at every home football and basketball game:

"The Bobcats, Montana State University-Bozeman, and the Big SkyConference promote good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches, and spectators. We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner. Profanity, racial, or sexist comments or other intimidating actions directed at officials, student-athletes, coaches, or team representatives will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the arena."

2. Describe and attach a copy of the institution’s written policies and procedures on sportsmanship and ethical conduct, including sanctions that may be levied for inappropriate behavior.

Sportsmanship and Ethical conduct are discussed and promoted by all head coaches at Montana State University-Bozeman and behavior by student-athletes and fans at both away and home games is commendable. The University adheres to the Big Sky Conference Policy on Ethical Conduct and Sportsmanship for coaches, student-athletes, managers, trainers, cheerleaders, band members, students and fans. This Conference policy is attached as Appendix IV-K. The University’s own Athletics Policy on Ethical Conduct and Sportsmanship is available on pages 4-7 in the Student-Athlete Handbook. These policies outline the expected standards of ethical conduct and sportsmanship as well as describe the Big Sky Conference’s policy concerning disciplinary action. Penalties included in the policy are reprimand, suspension, and permanent loss of eligibility. Coaches and administration may also decide on an alternative punishment.

The Big Sky Conference is developing a handbook to address potential problems and issues in the area of ethics and sportsmanship. The handbook will be distributed to each University President and senior athletic department administration. The handbook will contain baseline information and standards of the Big Sky Conference. Each spring the issues that have arisen that year, both in the Big Sky Conference as well as nationally, will be discussed and added to the handbook (Annual Reports section).

3. Describe the institution’s educational activities/programs in the area of violence, abuse and harassment committed by student-athletes.

Unacceptable behaviors in the area of violence, abuse and harassment are outlined in the Student-Athlete Handbook. Players are informed of policies in this area through a pre-season meeting with administrators and coaches. Athletes are required to sign the University’s policy statement before competing in intercollegiate events.

4. Describe educational activities related to sportsmanship and ethical conduct for student-athletes, coaches, support groups (e.g., alumni, cheerleaders) and all others associated with the intercollegiate athletics program.

The University’s policy on sportsmanship and ethical conduct is distributed in the Student-Athlete Handbook. All players are required to read and sign the statement before competing in intercollegiate events. The literature outlines unacceptable behaviors and sportsmanship standards that must be adhered to. Additionally, coaches promote sportsmanship and ethical behavior through discussions at various meetings throughout the season. In compliance with Big Sky Conference regulations, announcements are made at all intercollegiate events promoting sportsmanship and ethical conduct among the fans, media, coaches and support groups.

5. Describe mechanisms the institution has in place to review and monitor the effectiveness of its sportsmanship and ethical conduct policies and procedures. Also, provide a brief description of incidents that have been reviewed through these mechanisms in the last three years.

The effectiveness of the department’s sportsmanship and ethical conduct policies and procedures is measured in the prompt action taken to assure due process by the athletic administration and conference office. Specifically, reported incidents are investigated and appropriate disciplinary action is taken if violations are found to occur. These mechanisms were utilized in four different cases involving five coaches over the past three years.

Coaches are evaluated regularly and student-athletes are monitored for behavior on and off the playing venues. Administrators often travel to away events to monitor and evaluate behavior. Emphasis is placed on each coach’s professionalism throughout the year because they represent the university and community, as well as the state, even when his/her team is not competing. In the past three years, several sportsmanship incidents have been reviewed. Details are provided in Self-Study Item 6.

6. Describe specific incidents over the last three years that shed light on the institution’s commitment to the values of sportsmanship and ethical conduct (e.g., citations or sanctions form the conference office, sanctions or reprimands from the NCAA for conduct during its championships, awards received by the institution or its athletes for exemplary behavior in this area).

Reprimands: Montana State University-Bozeman has received three reprimands from the Big Sky Conference in the last two years.

  1. December 5, 2000—A football player was officially reprimanded and suspended for the first half of the next scheduled game for fighting.
  2. November 1, 2001—The head football coach was officially reprimanded and suspended from all game day coaching duties on November 3, 2001, for public criticism of officials reported in the Great Falls Tribune.
  3. November 14, 2001—A student-athlete football player was officially reprimanded and suspended from the first half of the next scheduled game for fighting.

There have been no sanctions or reprimands from the NCAA for misconduct.

Awards: In the past several years, two student-athletes have been awarded NCAA postgraduate scholarships given to students with GPA of 3.2 or higher, who have "performed with distinction as a member of a varsity sport and have also behaved on and off the court in a manner that brought credit to the institution and athletics." These two students are Jessica Blake in 2002, and Tennyson Ballek in 1999. In addition, in 2002, Tennis Coach Mike Phillips was named the men's Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year.