The group that monitors high school sports in Utah plans to launch a new push for sportsmanship. News Specialist Nadine Wimmer tell's us why they're worried.

The elbows, fights and ejections at professional sporting events rub off on student athletes. And without some crack down officials fear unsportsmanlike conduct could put students at risk.

Amberlie Cosgrove plays to win, but she plays fair. So, the ninth grader never expected what happened after they won the game. She went to high-five an opponent, and instead got a right hook.

Amberlie Cosgrove/Student Athlete: (("THEN I TURNED AROUND TO FACE THE OTHER WAY, AND THERE WAS BLOOD GUSHING OUT OF MY NOSE."))

(("THIS PART OF MY FACE WAS BRUISED AND I HAD A BLACK EYE RIGHT AROUND THERE."))

If that wasn't enough, players and even parents of the opposing team defended the punch.

Tina Cosgrove/mother: (("THEY WERE TELLING MY HUSBAND THAT MY DAUGHTER DESERVED IT, AND IT WAS CHAOS UNTIL THE POLICE GOT THERE."))

Poor sportsmanship has become all too common in high school athletics. Watch as this student intentionally runs into the ref.

Many believe this sort of play is modeled after the pros. You only need look at recent NBA playoff games to see where young athletes might get ideas. But the blame doesn't stop here. Athletic leaders also point to coaches.

Tim Carr/ Utah Football Officials: (("ONE OF THE PLAYERS GOT UPSET, THREW A PLAYER DOWN TO THE GROUND, RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE COACH, THREW HIM DOWN TO THE GROUND AND KICKED HIM IN THE HEAD. AND THE COACH ABSOLUTELY WENT CRAZY WHEN I THREW A FLAG AND EJECTED THE PLAYER."))

Perhaps the bigger factor in all of this is parents, who push students to compete and win at all costs. A recent survey reflects the pressure on young athletes.

The Utah High School Activities Association found that 40-percent of students said they wish their parents wouldn't come to sporting events. 70-percent wished that officials didn't keep score.

(("THAT PRESSURE THAT PARENTS PUT ON THOSE ATHLETES IS UNBELIEVABLE."))

Mike Petty/Utah Basketball Officials: (("KIDS NEED TO REALIZE IT'S STILL ONLY A GAME."))

And leaders realize in order to keep it that way, they're going to have to take some action.

Jerry Bovee/Utah High School Activities Assoc.: (("WE FEEL LIKE THAT'S A FOCUS WE OUGHT TO MAKE NOW, AND PREPARE, SO WE DON'T GET INTO AN AREA FIVE OR SIX YEARS FROM NOW, WHERE OUR PROGRAMS GET OUT OF CONTROL."))

So, the High School Activities Association is planning to try these and other things to increase good sportsmanship.

They'll give out trophies to those who show good sportsmanship. They'll start to emphasize citizenship in sports. And, leaders will implement more training for coaches.