Sportsmanship Promotion Banner Winners

LATHAM, NY- The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) 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 263 schools submitted the Sportsmanship Promotion Survey to NYSPHSAA and 49 schools were chosen by their Sections as plaque winners.

Oceanside High School – Section VIII
For the first time in school history, Oceanside High School has been chosen as a Sportsmanship Promotion Banner winner. Sportsmanship is a primary focus at Oceanside and each year the athletic department honors a student-athlete on each team with a sportsmanship award. Additionally, the athletic department takes additional steps if there are any issues with fan behavior, resulting in a meeting with the Athletic Director (AD) to address behavior. This meeting is required before re-entry is permitted. The school also suggests coaches, students, and parents take the NFHS Sportsmanship course and the NFHS Bullying, Hazing, and Inappropriate Behavior course. Lastly, the AD discusses diversity, equity and inclusion in preseason parent/student-athlete/coach meetings.

“Sportsmanship is about more than just winning or losing. It is about respecting your opponents, teammates, the coaches, the officials, and the game itself. When student-athletes, coaches, and spectators work together to set the standard of excellence, great things can be accomplished.” said Tom Lehman, Oceanside High School Director of Athletics. “I thank the entire Oceanside Community for upholding the core values of respect, accountability, and support for all student-athletes, coaches, opponents, and officials, all while promoting fair play. Your collective efforts have allowed our district to be honored and recognized.”

Shelter Island School – Section XI
For the second time in school history and the second consecutive year, Shelter Island School has been chosen as a Sportsmanship Promotion Banner winner. Shelter Island has not had any student-athlete, coach, or fan ejections since 2014, a testament to the dedication to sportsmanship by the district. Additionally, the Athletic Department honors the best examples of sportsmanship by athletes with an award each year.

“We are extremely humbled and honored by being named a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Sportsmanship Banner Winner for a second consecutive year. This honor is a credit to the intentional focus on sportsmanship by Shelter Island UFSD, Section XI, and NYSPHSAA that is executed every day by our student-athletes, coaches, event workers, and fans,” said Todd Gulluscio, Shelter Island School Director of Athletics, Physical Education, Health, Wellness and Personnel. “I'm very proud of all who are involved with our athletic program that made this possible and grateful to the NYSPHSAA for their recognition.”