Playing by the rules

Several months ago, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) established a committee on ethics to begin monitoring ethical standards and enforce appropriate action for misconduct when necessary.

Tara and former Texas coach Jody Conradt are co-chairs of a 12-member panel of coaches.

The committee has reviewed the WBCA code of ethics adopted in 2006 and has issued a statement to WBCA members.

Although fans cannot actively participate in monitoring the ethics of women's basketball, I find it interesting to learn what the WBCA is doing to promote high standards for a sport that means so much to me.

This is the committee's statement in part:

Imagine a sport in which playing rules are not evenly applied by teams, by players, by coaches or by officials. Not one of us would enjoy or prosper in such an atmosphere and student-athletes certainly would not benefit from an environment where those who don't play by the rules benefit the most. As we know from real world cases (Enron, Lehman Brothers, Worldcom, et al), those who believe rules are for fools never succeed in the long run. Coaches work in a profession where results are paramount, scrutiny is continuous, and competition is fierce. It is an area that should be fair and evenly judged. Ethical rules and standards should be a concern for all.

In response to the membership's call to action, the WBCA has established an Ethics Committee. A committee of your peers has been charged to assess and respond to alleged violations of NCAA rules. This includes actions and words that negatively impact our sport. Upholding rules and ethical standards is important for our coaches, our institutions, and our game.

The Committee will be effective September 1, 2010. The WBCA Board of Directors has approved protocol for this Committee to react to incidents that damage women's basketball. This committee is YOUR committee, formed to protect and represent the coaches of women’s basketball and the investment we all have in the game. It is suggested that we all read the ESPN account What’s Wrong with College Basketball.

Women's basketball has the opportunity to take a different path. The Committee’s goal is to ensure accountability by coaches, from coaches. The expectation is that WBCA members must work within ethical standards in recruiting, public relations and coaching. The integrity of our game is at stake. When behavior is questionable, it should be challenged.

The co-chair of the WBCA Ethics Committee is Tara VanDerveer. Tara has recommended a book by author John C. Maxwell: “There’s No Such Thing as Business Ethics.” This book contains several quotes that capture the WBCA's goals in forming this Ethics Committee:

“Doing the right thing may not always be easy -- but it is always right.”

“Ethics is about how we meet the challenge of doing the right thing when that will cost more than we want to pay. There are really only two important points when it comes to ethics. The first is a standard to follow. The second is the will to follow it.”

The WBCA membership has stated clearly that NCAA violations cannot be tolerated. When we see activity that is known to be contrary to accepted rules and ethics, all coaches need to be willing and comfortable with the procedures outlined by the WBCA Ethics Committee.

Thank you for your support of this effort to uphold high standards so we may proudly promote our game to the highest possible level.