TOPEKA, Kan. - Promoting good sportsmanship at all Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) events continues to be a priority for Kansas and its member schools. The inaugural League Sportsmanship award allowed each league/conference to identify a KSHSAA Basketball Sportsmanship League/Conference Champion. A total of 36 Kansas high schools were eligible to receive recognition by KSHSAA for outstanding sportsmanship during the 2024-2025 Basketball season with one from each league/conference selected by their peers.
Historically, the KSHSAA has provided the opportunity for state basketball tournament school teams to earn Sportsmanship Awards. State tourney schools were rated by judges assigned to respective tournaments who evaluated the teams (players and coaches), spirit squads, pep bands, and crowds, all based upon an established rating rubric. The Executive Board approved this new program which allows all member high schools the opportunity to be recognized for their efforts to promote and demonstrate good sportsmanship during the basketball season.
Following the conclusion of this recent basketball season, the member schools voted to identify their respective League Sportsmanship Champion. School leaders considered the sportsmanship demonstrated by the girls’ and boys’ teams (players and coaches), spirit squads, pep bands, and crowds based upon the school performance throughout the basketball season.
Winners and League or Conference Represented
Andover Central - AVCTL
Seneca-Nemaha Central - Big East League
Emporia - Centennial League
Pratt - Central Kansas League
Garden Plain - Central Plains
Chase - Central Prairie League
OP-Blue Valley West - Eastern Kansas League
Council Grove - Flint Hills League
Bonner Springs – Frontier League
Colby - Great West Activities Conference
Wichita Northwest - Greater Wichita League
Wichita Central Christian - Heart of America League
Pratt-Skyline - Heart of the Plains League
Elkhart - Hi-Plains League
KC Bishop Ward - Kaw Valley Conference
Madison - Lyon County League
KC Sumner Academy - Meadowlark Conference
Wakeeney-Trego Community - Mid-Continent League
Belleville-Republic County - North Central Activities Assn
Chapman - North Central Kansas League
Troy - Northeast Kansas League
Natoma - Northern Plains League
Atwood-Rawlins County - Northwest Kansas League
Osawatomie - Pioneer League
Deerfield - Santa Fe Trail League
Rosalia-Flint Hills - South Central Border League
Montezuma-South Gray - Southern Plains-Iroquois Activities Assn
Shawnee Mission Northwest - Sunflower League
Yates Center - Three Rivers League
Humboldt - Tri-Valley League
Blue Rapids-Valley Heights - Twin Valley League
Lansing - United Kansas Conference
Liberal - Western Athletic Conference
Winona Triplains-Brewster – Western Kansas Liberty League
Lost Springs-Centre - Wheat State League
“The KSHSAA made a commitment to our member schools to continue emphasizing the value of sportsmanship in education-based activities and athletic programs. This award is a wonderful testimony to our schools’ professionalism and efforts to promote positive sportsmanship with our outstanding students,” said Megan Hagaman, KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director of Fine Arts and Spirit.
“The lessons learned through activity participation are numerous. Of top priority among them is promoting sportsmanship which supports students in developing the ability to self-regulate and to respond appropriately when experiencing the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat”, noted KSHSAA Executive Director Bill Faflick. “School leaders have worked tirelessly for students and stakeholders to learn and grow in this area.”
Each League/Conference Champion will be honored by receiving a Sportsmanship state championship trophy from the KSHSAA.
If you would like more information, please contact:
Megan Hagaman, KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director of Fine Arts and Spirit
Office: (785) 273-5329
Email: mhagaman@kshsaa.org