Philosophy

ASSIGNMENT #4

It doesn’t always mean following your heart because there are certain situations where your heart might say doing the right thing would be x but NCAA rules would

require that it’s y. And so in those situations, while it can pull on you because in your heart you feel it’s doing the right thing to do it one way, if you’re going to work in college athletics in the NCAA in association, you have to make decisions that are

in line with the rules you have to play by. —Blake James, Director of Athletics, University of Miami

I want you to write down the eight virtues that are the strongest for you, those

things in your life that you’re not willing to compromise no matter what. You know and it’s interesting to see people do that. And then I say okay now think about your organization the same way because that’s basically the things that you’re not willing

to compromise, if that’s in line with the organization, you’re in a great place. —Al Golden, Former Head Football Coach, University of Miami

______________ What do these quotes from sport administrators from the University of Miami have in common? Each is the end result of a personal reflection on ethics in the field of sport. Each of these professionals has taken the time to dwell on the very core of his or her foundational beliefs regarding ethics. Yours may be very different, and that is fine; everyone brings their own experiences and opinions to bear on these issues. As mentioned throughout this course, ethics is not always a matter of clear right and wrong. Personal reflection is an important part of making the right decision. In this course, you have examined theories, fundamentals, and case studies. Going forward as a sport administrator, what are some strategies, methods, or models you examined in this course that you might use in solving ethical dilemmas? This assignment allows you to develop your own personal reflections on ethical decision making in sport. Instructions In this brief paper, you create a personal philosophy of ethics that will guide you in your decision making. Please keep in mind that there is no right or wrong personal philosophy. Every one of you may create a different philosophy depending on what resonated with you.