The Sport Ethic

Hughes and Coakley refer to sport ethic as the necessary conformity that athletes must adhere to in order to be considered a "real athlete." However, in the attempt to become a "real athlete," sport ethic provides a platform for deviant behavior, such as performance enhancing drugs.

According to Hughes and Coakley, there are four dimensions of sport ethic. The first dimension revolves around sacrifice to the game. This sacrifice can take many forms. It can refer to sacrificing the body in the rigors of training and long season. It can also refer to sacrificing other hobbies and interests as they take a back seat to the attempt to perfect one's craft in sport. The second dimension pertains to seeking distinction. The sacrifices made to perfect one's craft are in an attempt to separate an athlete from his or her peers. Breaking records and winning championships are the ultimate goals for many athletes and achieving these goals makes athletes distinct from lesser competition. The third dimension speaks of taking risks and playing through pain. While physical injury and pain should be expected, mental toughness is arguably an equally important factor in defining a "real athlete." Athletes should always embrace the big moment and never shy away from the pressures associated with defining events. Lastly, the fourth dimension refers to athletes refusing to accept limits in the pursuit of possibilities. Professional sports are largely popular due to viewers admiration of athletes skill and ability. So, the saying "nothing is perfect" should never enter an athletes mind as they continue to strive for limitless perfection.

Humans are born with an innate sense of competition. This competitive drive causes athletes to adhere to these dimensions because winning fuels them. Losing is unacceptable, so sacrifices and distinction are mandatory. I've experienced all four dimensions of the sport ethic. I've lost friends because I put basketball first. I've last range of motion in my fingers because I played an entire season with three broken fingers. I've strived and achieved distinction and perfection when my team went undefeated my junior year.

Jake Packman