Utah Coach Suspends Team as a Character Lesson

Two weeks ago, a football coach in Utah did something that is rare in this age of high pressure high school athletics.  He suspended his entire team the week before homecoming. He didn’t suspend the team for any on-field issues (although the decision was announced following a loss.)  And he didn’t suspend the team for any academic failings or team-wide disciplinary issues (although both issues contributed to the decision.) Instead, Coach Matt Labrum of Union High School in Roosevelt, Utah suspended his team of boys to “create great men.”

In the process, Coach Labrum created a media firestorm, sparked a national conversation, and hopefully taught his team and community a valuable lesson on the importance of character.  The Union High School team had reportedly been having assorted academic and disciplinary issues for much of the season, but was disbanded for cyber-bullying committed by unknown team members.  After a post-game meeting on Friday night where the coaching staff announced the decision, the team met the next morning to  learn how to regain a spot on the team.  For the next few days, the team practiced, but instead of practicing pass routes and zone defense, the team practiced character.  To be eligible to play the next week, every player had to participate in community service projects, be in good academic standing, and have a signed note from a parent attesting to good behavior at home. While several players were initially upset by the temporary loss of football, the coach had the support of parents and school officials.  He also had the support of the team, as all but 9 of the 41 players suspended were reinstated on Wednesday afternoon.     

 In explaining his decision to the media, Coach Labrum said “Hey, we need to focus on some other things that are more important than winning a football game,”  and he’s right.    At Play Like a Champion Today, we are fortunate enough to work with coaches just like Matt Labrum.  These coaches want their teams to DO WELL on the field and to DO GOOD off the field. Like Coach Labrum, Coaches for Character want their teams “to be an asset” to their schools and communities.  Like the parents at Union High, parents involved in Play Like a Champion Today want their children to be more than good football players, they want their children to “to some good in the community.” And like the students at Union High, student athletes trained by Play Like a Champion Today now see that “It’s not all about football.” 

 Practicing character should not be a national news story.  Practicing character should not be done solely to earn a spot on a team or to impress a coach.  Play Like a Champion works to promote a positive sports culture for all young people, and we applaud Coach Labrum for the work he is doing in Utah, and wish his team luck for the rest of the season, and hope that the character lessons instilled last month will endure in the team’s memory long after the season has ended.

For more on the events in Utah, the Deseret News has provided excellent coverage: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865587020/Taking-a-stand-Union-High-coach-suspends-entire-football-team-in-lesson-about-character.html?pg=all