May 30, 2005

Sportsmanship Awards Given For Spring Sports

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The USA South Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has instituted a Conference-wide Sportsmanship Award and the spring sports are the third to be recognized.  N.C. Wesleyan has been chosen the softball, golf, and women's tennis sportsmanship award winners, while Averett was named the lacrosse and baseball sportsmanship award winners and Ferrum was tabbed the men's tennis sportsmanship award winner.

There is a Sportsmanship Award for each of the 14 Conference-sponsored sports.  For every sport, each team member votes for the teams he/she deems to have demonstrated the best overall sportsmanship throughout the season.  The team garnering the most votes will receive that sports' Sportsmanship Award.  The school that wins the most individual sport Awards will win the overall USA South Sportsmanship Trophy.  The Award came about through SAAC's commitment to maintaining a sportsmanlike environment on each of our campuses. 

One voter for the N.C. Wesleyan softball squad said, "they play aggressive, but play fair."

One ballot stated that "N.C. Wesleyan's golf team was courteous before and after tournaments and whole team played within the rules of the game."

A voter for the N.C. Wesleyan women's tennis team stated, "the whole team had great attitudes and never gave up in their matches."

One voter for the Averett lacrosse team said, "no matter what happened in the game, they stayed positive.  Their coach was really supportive and praised them for everything and kept encouraging them."

A voter for the Averett baseball team stated, "the team demonstrated a good attitude when interacting with teammates, coaches, officials and fans.

A ballot for the Ferrum men's tennis team stated, "the team played very fair and didn't use any inappropriate language.

The Awards will be presented to each of the winning schools at a later date.  The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee hopes that by establishing a Sportsmanship Award, the members of the USA South will understand the importance of this issue.  The student-athletes, coaches and administrators represent the best of our institutions and it is vital that this be demonstrated on and off the field. 

Spring Sportsmanship Award Winners
Baseball - Averett
Softball - N.C. Wesleyan
Golf - N.C. Wesleyan
Lacrosse - Averett
Men's Tennis - Ferrum
Women's Tennis - N.C. Wesleyan