23 schools recognized for exemplary sportsmanship during 2008-09 school year
Dr. Phillips (Orlando), Land O'Lakes, Fort Pierce Westwood, Villages, Maclay (Tallahassee), Canterbury (St. Petersburg) and Grand Ridge Middle received state honors in the 2008-09 FHSAA/Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Awards. Click here to view the complete story. (6/1)

Columbus student-athlete wins USA Today National Sportsmanship Day Essay Contest
Columbus High School (Miami) junior Javier Salas was selected the high school division winner for the 18th Annual USA Today National Sportsmanship Day Essay Contest. The essay was published Mar. 3, 2009 in celebration of National Sportsmanship Day, which is sponsored by the Institute for International Sport at the University of Rhode Island. Salas's essay addressed the topic of fighting in sports, and was selected from among the 40 entries submitted. To read his essay, click here. (3/3)

18th Annual USA Today National Sportsmanship Day Essay Contest deadline is February 26
The deadline for the 18th Annual USA Today National Sportsmanship Day Essay Contest is Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009. This year's theme is fighting in sports. Click here for more information! (1/29)

National Sportsmanship Day is March 3
National Sportsmanship Day is coming up on Tuesday, March 3. Click here for more information! (1/14)

2008 Sportsmanship Summit sites and dates announced
The FHSAA will sponsor one-day Sportsmanship Summits in each of the four administrative sections this year to address current issues and ideas on a local level. Each summit will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and is open to administrators, coaches, contest officials and student-athletes. Lunch will be provided. Summit agendas will be available soon.
Monday, Sept. 22 –– Howell Center, Tallahassee (registration deadline is Sept. 17)
Thursday, Sept. 25 –– Jim Miles Professional Development Center, Highland City (Lakeland area) (registration deadline is Sept. 19)
Tuesday, Sept. 30 –– Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building, Gainesville (registration deadline is Sept. 24)
Thursday, Oct. 2 –– Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale (registration deadline is Sept. 26)
To register, please click here. (9/4)

22 schools recognized for exemplary sportsmanship during 2007-08 school year
DeLand, Washington (Miami), Palmetto, Trinity Prep (Winter Park), Pensacola Christian, Carrollwood (Tampa) and Citrus Springs Middle received state honors in the 2007-08 FHSAA/Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Awards. Click here to view the complete story. (6/2)

Summit highlights sportsmanship initiatives
The Inaugural FHSAA Sportsmanship Summit was held Sept. 14, 2007 in Orlando. Click here to view the news release. (9/17)

Creative Ideas
University High School (Orlando) is promoting a school-wide initiative designed to recognize student-athletes after each and every athletic contest. “Promoting Athletes With Sportsmanship” (P.A.W.S.) is the acronym that describes good sportsmanship viewed by the National Federation of State High School Associations for commitment to fair play, ethical behavior and integrity. University High School will be implementing P.A.W.S. with all its athletic teams in every athletic contest. At the conclusion, University’s team captain(s) will choose a player from the opposing team who exemplified outstanding good character and or sportsmanship throughout that contest and present him/her with a P.A.W.S. certificate and/or medallion. If you have any questions regarding P.A.W.S, please contact Athletic Director Mike Oldakowski at (407) 482-8706 or michael.oldakowski@ocps.net.

Citrus Springs Middle School promotes sportsmanship at home contests by having its coaches and players select a player from the opposing team that demonstrates sportsmanship through playing hard, strong and fair.  They receive a t-shirt with the FHSAA sportsmanship slogan on it.  They also used the idea of the sportsmanship pledge giving student free admission to games if they have the pledge memorized.  The staff shares its way of promoting good sportsmanship with the other athletic directors and coaches in the area at all meetings and work together to promote all the schools. Winning the FHSAA/Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award for best overall middle school program has not only been great for Citrus Springs Middle, but also for the other middle schools trying to improve where they are.

St. Andrew's School (Boca Raton) gives lollipops to parents and vocal fans and says, "If you think you are going to say something unsportsmanlike, put the lollipop in your mouth." The banner at the gym entrance and all coaching staff shirts have the slogan "Take Ownership of Sportsmanship."

Mount Dora High School gives student-athletes free admission to school athletic events if they can show their sportsmanship pledge cards at the door and recite the pledge from memory! It also does not allow anyone (students, parents, etc.) to stand around concessions, open areas, etc. during the games. Members of the crowd must find a seat if they are going to be at the game. This is enforced by our school resource officers and game security personnel, including administrators. This accomplishes a few things: a) it puts everyone in a position to be facing the field/court, subconsciously meaning they "get into" the game instead or other things, b) people who are not there to watch the gme but to do unacceptable activities, (pass drugs, plot activities, fights, etc.) are forced to stay seated and not moving around, c) little children are better supervised when they have to sit (most of the time with their own parents), d) reduces the risk of problems and officers and administrators have better crowd control. We have found that our adult crowds are happier and coming back because they feel safe and they can watch the game without the distractions of the past. More and more schools in our county are doing this as it has been very successful. We also stop collecting admission at the end of the 3rd quarter of our games, but we also close the game and do not allow anyone in free during the remainder of the games. This keeps the riff-raff and freebies away and reduces "after game" problems. We also do not allow anyone to leave the game at any time and return unless they pay admission AGAIN to enter.

The Pine School (Stuart) hung a sportsmanship banner in its gym. Also, all teams give an end of season award for sportsmanship. It is the last award each coach gives, therefore given more status than MVP trophies, etc.

Community Service Projects
Fernandina Beach Middle School partnered with the American Heart Association and Subway Sandwich Shops to have a "shoot out" to raise money to be donated back to the Association.  Their participants played various shooting and dribbling contests and raised a total of $955.00! The local Subway Sandwich Shop, owned by Jeff and Allison Douglas, donated subs for all the students participating, and a great time was had by all.

The Hagerty High School (Oviedo) girls volleyball team held its first-ever "Volley For the Cure" on Oct. 8, 2008, and the event was an amazing success!  More than 800 people were in attendance to help the team raise $11,800 for the Susan G. Komen For the Cure Foundation, which supports breast cancer victims locally and nationwide.  The parents, players, and coaches of the HHS girls volleyball program would like to thank all of those who supported this great cause as well as remind all of those dealing with this horrible disease that they are not alone.  Hagerty High School would like to expand the reach of their "Volley For the Cure" event to other volleyball communities around the state.  If you are interested in participating in 2009, please email head coach Corey Radford at Corey_Radford@scps.k12.fl.us for more information.

Leon High School (Tallahassee) planned a "Volley for the Cure" girls volleyball event and raised $1,217 for breast cancer research. The players on both teams wore pink uniform tops!

Sample Contracts/Programs
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