In 1940, an underdog Dartmouth football team played powerful Cornell, which needed only one more victory for a perfect season and a number-one ranking in the country. Trailing 3-0 Cornell scored a controversial touchdown that the Dartmouth players insisted was made on an extra ‘fifth down.’ However, the referee counted the touchdown, and Cornell won 7-3.

But after the game, Cornell officials watched the game on film and saw that indeed their team had been allowed an extra play. They immediately sent a telegram to Dartmouth stating that they could not accept the victory. It went into the record book as 3-0 victory for Dartmouth.

That little story tells us what sportsmanship really is. It is the desire to play hard and to win - but to win fairly - and if you lose, to accept defeat with good grace. Let’s remember that during our Scouting games and throughout our lives. Also remember, that to be a good sport you have to lose to prove it.