FROM THE DESK OF SCOTT CARNAHAN
Director of Athletics
Linfield College

One of the best lessons student-athletes can learn from participation in athletics is how to respond to very stressful and competitive situations. Meeting the challenges and successfully performing during competitions is one of the reasons that Americans love to watch and participate in all types of sporting events. We are intrigued by the response of teams and individuals when it seems the odds are against them in the game, match or event in which they are competing. What reaction will our athletes have when faced with adversity or even defeat? It is one of the life lessons that we hope will help our athletes be successful while meeting those challenges later in their lives well beyond their intercollegiate athletic experiences at Linfield.

Competition can be compared to an amusing story I once heard about two hikers who spotted a mountain lion stalking them. One of the hikers was in a state of panic while the other calmly sat down, took off his hiking boots, and began putting on his running shoes. The hiker, stricken with panic asked, “What good are those shoes going to do you? You cannot hope to outrun a mountain lion!” Lacing up and tying his tennies, the friend responded, “I don’t have to outrun the lion. I figure if I can stay ahead of you, I will be just fine.”

Just in the past few weeks we have witnessed high-profile athletes be overtaken by “the heat of the moment” in their competitions. A punch thrown by an Oregon football player and a tirade by one of the most notable professional women tennis players in the world are just two examples of how the human emotion can take over when placed in a competition. The media magnifies negative reactions by these athletes and virtually every person who watches or has an interest in sport examines their behaviors. Most of us admire the competitive spirit of great athletes and teams and their never-give-up attitudes. But as much as we all like to be on the winning side, we appreciate and recognize individuals and teams that show humility in winning and dignity in a loss.

As we go through another year of athletic competitions at Linfield we hope all of our teams and individuals are successful. Obviously, to us winning is important, but we also want our athletes to learn how to meet and react to adversity and challenges in a positive way and to always respect their opponents and the spirit of which the competition was intended to be played.

The NCAA has identified sportsmanship as one of the critical elements to be examined by each of the member institutions this academic year. It is my hope that our student-athletes all have a great competitive spirit, but that they also exhibit positive behaviors during their competitions that reflect the spirit and intent of what intercollegiate athletics is designed to teach and project.

Go ‘Cats!

Scott Carnahan ‘73
Director of Athletics