Code of Conduct

Earlier this week, I signed our ten-year-old son up as a US Squash member. As his parent, I had to agree to USQ’s code of conduct. I found it very meaningful and thought-provoking. How much poor behavior led to the creation of each rule?

Code of Conduct

I therefore pledge to be responsible for my words and actions while attending, coaching, officiating or participating in a US Squash event and conform my behavior to the following code of conduct:

  1. I will learn the rules of the squash and abide by all US Squash Policies.
  2. I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player, in unsportsmanlike conduct with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
  3. I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player, in any behavior which would endanger the health, safety or well-being of any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
  4. I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player, in the use of profanity.
  5. I will, and encourage my child/player to, treat any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee with respect regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or ability.
  6. I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player to engage, in verbal or physical threats or abuse aimed at any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
  7. I will not engage, nor encourage my child/player to engage, in a fight or argue with any coach, parent, player, participant, official, US Squash staff member or any other attendee.
  8. I will, and will encourage my child/player to, respect the officials and their authority during a match and will never question, discuss, or confront players or officials before, during or after a match.
  9. I will promote the emotional and physical wellbeing of the athletes ahead of any personal desire I may have for my child to win.

This code of conduct came to mind quite vividly this morning when I got a pre-dawn email from Paul Assaiante. He sent a message to all the Trinity squash alumni, many of whom normally make a trek on the Sunday of the national intercollegiate team championships to watch Trinity play.

But today, for the first time since 1997, Trinity was not in the finals because they lost yesterday in the semis. Paul’s email was a powerful reminder of the real reasons why we play the game:

We lost yesterday and I felt badly for the boys as they took the loss hard. But it is good that it hurt because it is a reflection of how much they wanted it. Life has purpose because it begins with birth and ends in death.  You must have both to know you are alive. Sport is the same. You must have winning and you must have losing for the journey to be meaningful. Most importantly the Trinity squash family continues to grow, to fight with class and dignity. You all and this new crop of brothers make me proud. Hold your heads a little higher. You are Bantams.