“Pursuing Victory With Honor” equips Tulare County high school student-athletes with valuable character development tools.

The initiative originated from the Arizona Accord Conference, which took place in Scottsdale, Arizona, where leaders from the fields of sports and education gathered to discuss the ethical and character-building aspects of athletic competition. The goal was to establish a set of guiding principles and values that would be widely embraced and implemented. The conference was held in 1999, and was convened by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition, and the United States Olympic Committee. Among the 50 attendees were notable figures such as NBC commentator, university presidents, athletic directors, coaches, Olympic athletes, and representatives from national sports media and youth organizations.

Recognizing the profound impact that high school athletes have on society, Tulare County Office of Education Character Counts! office officially adopted the “Pursuing Victory With Honor” principles in 2008 and was immediately committed to the program’s character-building goals.                           

PVWH uses T.E.A.M. – Teach, Enforce, Advocate, and Model – a four-point strategy to encourage good sportsmanship in all participants. These four elements guide the design of athletic programs to foster good character, as well as guide interactions with athletes, parents, coaches, officials, and spectators.

Together, the Tulare County Office of Education, Character Counts! and PVWH, aim to transform high school athletics by fostering character, sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity.                                                                                        

If you are interested in free sportsmanship training, resources, and/or materials, contact Zoty Briceño at (559) 737-6349.