Several area schools were included in the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s recent announcement of schools that achieved the state’s highest sportsmanship numbers.
During the 2024-25 school year, the IHSAA began recognizing schools’ sportsmanship and adherence to the principles of wholesome amateur athletics in this new way.
As part of the IHSAA’s Sportsmanship/Leadership program, school administrators are able to monitor their score daily on the member schools-only myIHSAA website.
Those schools who have accumulated 100 points are recognized as “First Team All-Sportsmanship” and those with 95 points are recognized as “Honorable Mention All-Sportsmanship.”
Locally, Batesville, East Central, Franklin County, Greensburg, Milan, South Decatur and South Ripley were named First Team All-Sportsmanship.
North Decatur and Oldenburg Academy were named Honorable Mention All-Sportsmanship.
These scores are based solely on deductions for the spring season so they will not reflect the ongoing total sportsmanship score for a school if the school engaged in activities to earn points through the sportsmanship program.
Seasonal Sportsmanship Awards recognize schools at the end of each season based on scores for an individual season. For example, spring sportsmanship scores are based solely on the spring sports regardless of what sportsmanship score was achieved in the fall and winter.
Points are deducted by contest ejections of players, coaches, administrators and fans.
“We want to acknowledge and congratulate those schools who have exemplified sportsmanship as indicated by their sportsmanship scores,” said IHSAA assistant commissioner Jane Schott, who administers the IHSAA sportsmanship program. “By recognizing schools as the end of season, we hope this encourages schools to celebrate those programs who show exemplary sportsmanship.”