LATHAM, NY- The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) is proud to announce Columbia High School (Section 2), West Genesee High School (Section 3), Franklin High School (Section 5) and Islip High School (Section 11) as its winners of the2017-18 Sportsmanship Promotion program.
The award is presented to schools who have developed proactive approaches in keeping sportsmanship in the forefront with their students, coaches, spectators, and communities. A total of 231 schools submitted the Sportsmanship Promotion Survey to NYSPHSAA to be considered for the banner award. From that, 41 schools were chosen by their Sections as plaque winners. This year marks the 21th year that deserving schools have been recognized by the NYSPHSAA’s Sportsmanship Promotion program, all of which will be honored at the NYSPHSAA’s Central Committee Meeting Luncheon on July 24th in Lake Placid, NY.
ABOUT THE WINNING SCHOOLS:
Columbia High School – Section 2 (6th consecutive year)
On a daily basis, Columbia displays sportsmanship reminders with signage throughout the school to promote and encourage positive sportsmanship. All game supervisors, athletic trainers, and coaches are trained on how to handle unsportsmanlike behavior. Columbia also uses community service projects like their annual Teal Run, Adopt-A-Family, Adopt-A-Senior Citizen, and Winterfest programs to promote sportsmanship within their school.
“It is a great honor to receive this prestigious award for the 6th year in a row”, said Mike Leonard, Columbia Athletic Director. “Winning this award speaks to the high level of coaches, student-athletes, school and community we have. I am so proud of our coaches who take sportsmanship and leadership to the forefront of Athletics.”
Franklin High School – Section 5 (1st time)
Franklin won the 2018 Section Five Sportsmanship Award and are first-time winners of the NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship Promotion Banner. As part of the Rochester City Athletic Conference, Franklin upholds a tradition of allowing student-athletes to rectify an unsportsmanlike decision after appropriate consequences have been administered. They believe teaching sportsmanship is a learning process.
“Sportsmanship promotion has been at the center of our focus as an athletic program and we have implemented the simple premise where we treat others how we would like to be treated”, said David Boundy, Franklin Athletic Director. “Franklin’s sportsmanship promotion focuses more on creating a well-rounded student-athlete who is equipped with the moral fiber and ethics to be successful not only in athletics, but in life as well.”
Islip High School – Section 11 (1st time)
Unsportsmanlike behavior is addressed in the preseason and postseason at Islip. Students-athletes are expected to be school ambassadors and leaders. Some of the ways they promote positive sportsmanship include greeting opposing teams as they enter their school, honoring the visiting team’s senior players on senior night and thanking the officials after each game. They constantly strive to use the educational frameworks for athletics to minimize the potential risk of unsportsmanlike behaviors before they are exhibited.
“Being recognized for this award is a reflection of our community and the importance we take to ensure a respectful environment for all”, said John V. Sparacio, Islip Athletic Director.
West Genesee High School – Section 3 (2nd consecutive year)
The topic of sportsmanship is discussed during school’s preseason parent meeting and is part of both the athletic department and coach’s handbook. Prior to all games at West Genesee, a sportsmanship announcement is made to the teams and fans. Teams also engage in various fundraisers to promote sportsmanship such as the More Than a Game Foundation, American Heart Association, Friendship Cup Scholarship, and Upstate Cancer Center.
“The Sportsmanship Banner award reinforces the overall drive behind the Athletic Department here at West Genesee,” said Mike Burns, West Genesee Athletic Director. “We try to instill hard work, dedication, sportsmanship, fair play and giving back to the community within our student-athletes and when setting up their team goals. We want our student-athletes to take ownership of their actions and to represent our community in a positive manner.”
“We would like to congratulate all the banner award winners and all the schools that work hard to promote sportsmanship in our Association,” said Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “To have over 200 schools submit surveys to be considered for a banner this school year shows how important sportsmanship is throughout New York State.”
Previous Sportsmanship Promotion Banner Award Winners:
2017 – Columbia High School (Section 2)
West Genesee High School (Section 3)
2016 – Byram Hills High School (Section 1)
Columbia High School (Section 2)
Cooperstown High School (Section 3)
2015 – Columbia High School (Section 2)
2014 – Columbia High School (Section 2)
Carthage High School (Section 3)
2013 – Columbia High School (Section 2)
