March 2009 Issue

This spring, 129 college basketball teams – 65 men’s teams and 64 women’s teams – vie for the National Championship in a tournament we’ve come to love as March Madness®. Like you, the team here at Responsible Sports is excited for “bracketology,” fight songs, painted faces, and Cinderella team stories.

But we also take a keen interest in the Tournament as a spotlight for how schools handle the challenges of wins and losses. As spectators and fans, we get a glimpse of each organization’s true culture. Last year, we learned about the personal values and team culture of the University of North Carolina, as Head Coach Roy Williams attended the National Championship Game, wearing a Kansas Jayhawks logo on his shirt. While his Tarheels had been eliminated by the Jayhawks, Williams stuck around to cheer for his former school – and show respect for the team that had beaten his team. The decision was a controversial one, but spoke volumes about Coach Williams’ commitment to the game and to the players he once coached. The limelight of the Tournament brings the unique values and cultures of schools, communities, and individuals to the forefront.

So this month, we explore the idea of “Culture Keepers,” – and how each of us can play an important part in practicing a Responsible Sports community.