Press release<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LATHAM, NY<\/strong> \u2013 The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. (NYSPHSAA) is proud to announce Arlington High School (Section I), Oriskany Junior-Senior High School (Section III), Pembroke Junior-Senior High School (Section V) and Greenport High School (Section XI) as the 2024-2025 recipients of the Sportsmanship Promotion Banner Award. This is the 29th<\/sup>\u202fyear NYSPHSAA has honored deserving school districts with the Sportsmanship Promotion program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Each year, NYSPHSAA presents the Sportsmanship Promotion Banner Award to schools that have developed proactive approaches in keeping sportsmanship in the forefront with their students, coaches, spectators, and communities. Winners are decided based off their Sportsmanship Promotion survey, a tool built to assist athletic departments in examining their policies and procedures used to promote positive sportsmanship within their athletic community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSportsmanship is the cornerstone of interscholastic athletics, teaching student-athletes to compete with integrity, respect, and humility. Upholding these values ensures that high school sports in New York remain a powerful platform for personal growth and lifelong lessons,\u201d said NYSPHSAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Zayas. \u201cArlington, Oriskany, Pembroke and Greenport have been the picture of sportsmanship this year, and not only are we excited to celebrate their efforts, but we are thankful for them as well.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n For the current school year, 332 schools submitted the Sportsmanship Promotion survey to NYSPHSAA, with 45 schools selected by their Sections as plaque winners. The award winners this year were selected based off exemplary efforts of embodying and promoting the importance of sportsmanship during interscholastic competition. The Sportsmanship Banner will be presented to each school at a school event of their choosing this fall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ABOUT THE WINNING SCHOOLS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Arlington High School \u2013 Section I<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Arlington uses NFHS Learning Center courses such as Hazing and Inappropriate Behavior, Engaging Effectively with Parents, <\/em>and Sportsmanship<\/em>, to further educate students, parents, and staff on key topics related to character development and community engagement. Through collaboration of the district\u2019s guidance department, student equity teams, and athletics department, Arlington promotes a culture of respect and responsibility. In addition to these educational initiatives, Arlington has launched a comprehensive Character Education<\/em> program that emphasizes weekly themes centered on the values of integrity, sportsmanship, and community. The program\u2019s message of \u201cCompeting with Class\u201d has resonated throughout the school, creating a positive shift in hallway culture and serving as a unifying reminder for student-athletes on game days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn behalf of Arlington High School, we are honored to accept the NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship promotion award,\u201d said Arlington Athletic Director, Michael Cring. \u201cIn\u202feducation-based athletics, sportsmanship and character are areas our coaching staff works to foster in our athletes as we try to develop individuals that will be positive leaders in their community.\u202f We also recognize that this work is not perfect, and we must continue to emphasize this, especially as we sometimes see examples in our society that challenge us.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Oriskany Junior-Senior High School \u2013 Section III<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Oriskany Central School District continues to set a high standard for sportsmanship and character education across all levels of its athletic programs. Throughout each athletic season, student-athletes at all levels are recognized for their exemplary conduct through the school\u2019s Sportsmanship Award. Honorees receive a commemorative plaque, a pin to display on their varsity letter, and permanent recognition on a dedicated plaque proudly displayed within the school. Coaches play a vital role in this initiative, consistently emphasizing sportsmanship and game knowledge as core pillars of team development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe encourage our student-athletes to be better than the best by demonstrating respect, courtesy, and gratitude, and by putting in hard work in all areas,\u201d said Oriskany Athletic Director, David Buck. \u201cWhether on the playing field, in the classroom, or within the community, sportsmanship is in the forefront of our athletic programs.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the event of a game expulsion, Oriskany requires student-athletes to complete an NFHS course directly related to the nature of the infraction. Additionally, all coaches and event staff are mandated to complete the NFHS Implicit Bias <\/em>course annually, reinforcing the district\u2019s commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful athletic environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pembroke Junior-Senior High School \u2013 Section V<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pembroke takes a proactive and personalized approach to fostering sportsmanship within its athletic programs. Each week, the district celebrates student-athletes through its Leadership Academy<\/em>, which partners with Cross Training Athletics to highlight individuals who exemplify the school\u2019s designated character trait of the week. This weekly recognition reinforces the importance of integrity, respect, and leadership both on and off the field. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When conduct issues arise, Pembroke addresses them thoughtfully by requiring student-athletes and coaches to complete NFHS courses specific to the infraction, along with meeting clear return-to-play criteria, balancing accountability with personal growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe take athlete, coach, and spectator conduct and sportsmanship very seriously\u201d said Pembroke Junior\/Senior High School Principal Dr. Nathan Work.\u202f\u201cAs long as there is good sportsmanship, I believe\u202fthat both teams win despite what the scoreboard says.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n This strong commitment to sportsmanship has earned regional recognition, including multiple Sportsmanship Player of the Year<\/em> honors and the Section V Sportsmanship Award<\/em> for the Varsity Swimming & Diving team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Greenport High School \u2013 Section XI<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Greenport High School proudly celebrates student-athletes and teams who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship by recognizing them at Board of Education meetings, providing a meaningful platform for community-wide acknowledgment. Reinforcing its commitment to the principles of fair play and respect, the district takes the message of \u201cStaying in the Game\u201d seriously. Any student-athlete or coach ejected from an athletic event must meet with the Athletic Director to reflect on their actions and review any additional consequences before being cleared to return. In certain cases involving parents, a meeting with the Superintendent may also be required before reinstatement, emphasizing the district\u2019s firm stance on accountability and positive behavior in school athletics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition from NYSPHSAA. This award reflects the shared commitment of our coaches, athletes, families, and entire school community to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship both on and off the field,\u201d said Greenport Athletic Director, Brian Toussaint. \u201cAs a small school, we take great pride in the character of our student-athletes and the strong sense of community that defines Greenport Athletics.” <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Press release LATHAM, NY \u2013 The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. (NYSPHSAA) is proud to announce Arlington High School (Section I), Oriskany Junior-Senior High School (Section III), Pembroke Junior-Senior High School (Section V) and Greenport High School (Section XI) as the 2024-2025 recipients of the Sportsmanship Promotion \u2026<\/p>\n