The Cost of Pursuing Victory: A Study on the Relationship between Sportsmanship and Winning

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not coaches who employ win-at-all costs attitudes actually tend to win more games. As a result of the pressure coaches feel to win, some may turn to more ruthless strategies because they believe this will enhance the on-field success of their teams. The goal of this study was to examine the legitimacy of this practice. A total of 272 varsity baseball coaches from Minnesota and Wisconsin participated in a quantitative investigation designed to uncover any existing relationships between attitudes concerning sportsmanship and on-field success. Analysis of participant responses did not support the viewpoint that coaches who promote sportsmanlike values are automatically at a competitive disadvantage to coaches who utilize more unethical methods. On the contrary, data from this study appeared to reveal a link between a strong belief in sportsmanlike ideals and increases in career winning percentage. In addition, data analysis showed older coaches and coaches with more years of experience in coaching tend to view sportsmanship with a heightened degree of importance.