NORTH MANCHESTER – Manchester High School was named one of 10 IHSAA members to win a 2014-15 Sportsmanship Award, it was announced Wednesday by Manchester athletic director Jeremy Markham. A press release by the athletic department from the IHSAA said “Congratulations to you and your school for earning a 2014-15 IHSAA Sportsmanship Award. Your school, along with 10 other IHSAA member schools, is being recognized for exemplary behavior during the previous year. Many IHSAA member schools met the point value of 95 or better, but few completed the entire Sportsmanship program. Manchester met or exceeded all five criteria of the IHSAA/NAIA Character Challenge program. You and your school community are to be commended. “On behalf of the IHSAA staff and our Board of Directors, please accept my sincere congratulations for this important achievement. “Again, congratulations on your distinction as a ‘School of Character’ and continued best wishes as we continue our new school year.” According to the IHSAA website, the criteria for the award are sportsmanship points, develop a sportsmanship/leadership/citizenship message to the entire community, disseminate that message to the entire community, head coaches completing the “champions of character” coaching course, and the presentation of the “champions of character” video series to students, parents and coaches. Point deductions for the ejection of a coach, fan or student-athlete from a game would make it virtually impossible to meet the first criteria in a school year. To meet the second and third criteria, the sportsmanship message must be developed, then posted on a school’s web site, in sports programs and read by the public address announcer before home sporting events. Manchester’s statement from its website is “Competitive athletics plays an integral part in the educational program at MJSHS. The challenges associated with competition create learning experiences for all athletes and coaches. Interscholastic athletics offer the opportunity for students to be a part of a team, to serve their school, community, and to develop intellectually, physically, and emotionally. Athletes must be taught attitudes of good sportsmanship, fair play, and a respect for individual and team.”
