University of Virginia Library

Athletic Courtesy.

Our athletics should foster clean sport between gentlemen. It is
the privilege and duty of every committee and person connected with
the League to embody these principles in his own actions and to
earnestly advocate them before others:

(1) The rules of games are to be regarded as mutual agreements,
the spirit or letter of which no gentleman would break. The stealing
of advantage in sport is theft.

(2) Visiting teams are to be honored guests of the home team,
and should be treated as such.

(3) No action is to be taken nor course of conduct pursued which
would seem ungentlemanly or dishonorable if known to one's opponent
or the public.

(4) No advantages are to be sought over others except those in
which the game is understood to show superiority.

(5) Officers and opponents are to be regarded and treated as honest
in intention. When opponents are evidently not gentlemen, and
officers manifestly dishonest or incompetent, future relationships with
them may be avoided.

(6) Decisions of officials are to be abided by, even when they
seem unfair.

(7) Ungentlemanly or unfair means are not to be used even when
they are used by opponents.

(8) Good points in others should be appreciated and suitable recognition
given.