The Oracle: What are your plans for the sports program?

Chris Horpel: We’ve already started by upgrading a lot of our coaching staff. We have new coaches for water polo and football. We’re also adding one sport this year, which are the varsity and junior varsity boys lacrosse. Everybody’s off to a very solid start.

TO: How have budget cuts affected sports?

CH: This year it’s heaven, comparatively. We have a nice new pool. We have a turf football field. Our softball and baseball diamonds are almost done, and our soccer and lacrosse natural grass field is finally finished. Even the small grass field between the pool and the baseball diamond is another space where people can practice. Construction isn’t going to affect us until the end of this school year, which is hopefully when the plans for a second gym will be approved. Then that whole cycle will start again which will be a two-year process.

TO: How has sportsmanship changed over the years?

CH: I think sportsmanship has changed because we see so much more sports. In the old days there were only three channels and you were lucky if you caught the game. Nowadays there are around five to 10 channels on professional sports. There’s a different philosophy, and along with it comes arrogance and showmanship. Unfortunately, professional sports are known for having bad sportsmanship and when kids see that they subconsciously want to emulate it. It’s becoming a bigger issue since it’s becoming more prevalent.

TO: How is sportsmanship at Gunn?

CH: I think good sportsmanship is about not getting carried away. It’s difficult to see bad attitudes in professional sports and have it unacceptable here at Gunn. I tell everyone that the opposing athletes are just like ours—we both play the same sport and have a lot in common. But for athletes who go overboard, they get first a warning, then they’re removed and then they are not allowed to come back.

TO: Have you had cases of bad sportsmanship at Gunn?

CH: There’s not too much bad sportsmanship at Gunn. A couple people on the football team have been reprimanded, but Gunn is pretty mild compared to other schools. However, there are always more problem for sports such as basketball where athletes can see and hear everything and also wh