Some school administrators just sport attitude

So you think many principals and school administrators don’t care about sports or sportsmanship?

Maybe you’re right.

As part of its effort to increase sportsmanship at its member schools, the Illinois High School Association implemented a “Do What’s Right” program in August 2007. The program created nine expectations for member schools, coaches, players and communities to adopt.

Among the expectations are showing respect to opponents, showing appreciation for outstanding play, respecting the judgement of game officials, emphasizing teamwork, accepting the responsibility of representing the school and community, and displaying modesty in victory.

The IHSA awarded seven sportsmanship awards to teams participating in the state finals in volleyball. The organization also recognized the efforts of schools participating in soccer and football.

The schools that were presented “Do What’s Right” awards in volleyball were Carlinville, Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake Central, Glenbrook South, Joliet Catholic, Chicago Christian and Payson Seymour.

Fourteen other schools were eligible to receive “Do What’s Right” awards in either volleyball, soccer or football, but their administrators failed to register to participate in the program.

Does that mean those school leaders don’t feel that sportsmanship is important? Or that sports are unimportant? Or that reinforcing positive behavior among young people, coaches and fans is unimportant?

Maybe the IHSA should implement another award for those schools. They can simply call it the “Do What?” award.

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Shealyn Kolosky, Wheaton Warrenville South’s 6-foot-3 junior middle hitter, verbally committed to the University of Tennessee on December 1. Kolosky will be the second Tigers to don the orange, following in the footsteps of former WW South standout Annie Sadowski (’03).

Kolosky is also the second player from WW South to commit this year, joining Monika Stanciauskas, a 6-foot-1 senior middle hitter, who signed in November to play next year at William & Mary.

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Schaumburg’s fine outside hitter/setter junior Emily Young recently verbally committed to play at the University of Southern California. Young set three school records while leading the Saxons in kills and assists this fall.

In addition to playing in one of the most competitive conferences in the country, Young also plans to take advantage of USC’s outstanding academic programs. A National Honor Society student, Young ranks in the top 3 percent of her class.

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Marist’s junior libero Caroline Niedospial, a 2009 Sun-Times All-Area Volleyball special mention selection, verbally committed to Northwestern University on November 25. Niedospial is considered one of the top liberos in the Class of 2011.

She will join 2010 Northwestern recruit Stephanie Holthus of Burlington Central at the Big Ten school by the lake.

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And finally, Illinois high school volleyball is losing one of its top officials with the “retirement” of Peg Campana of Streamwood. Campana is moving to Indiana to look for a job after her position at Advocate Health Care was eliminated.

Campana has officiated high school volleyball in Illinois for more than 30 years. She has been a fixture at both the girls and boys state tournaments. She has also officiated collegiately in the Big Ten, Missouri Valley, Big East and Southeastern Conference (SEC).

“I have to say that as much as I love officiating, I am extremely proud of being affiliated with the Illinois High School Association all these years,” Campana said. “It’s not about the money. It’s all about the athletes.”

Campana was in the chair for two of the best matches in the state this season – Joliet Catholic’s dramatic three-set win over St. Francis in the Class 3A sectional, and Cary-Grove’s stunning upset of Lyons in the Class 4A title match.

“It’s been a great run,” Campana said.