For the sixth year in a row, Columbia High School has won the state sportsmanship award from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA).
A total of 231 schools were eligible for the banner award after submitting the Sportsmanship Promotion Survey to NYSPHSAA.
Columbia is one of four high schools to receive the award this year, and the only one to win it each year since 2013. Recipients are selected based on extra programs and activities that schools have implemented to promote positive sportsmanship.
“It is a great honor to receive this prestigious award for the 6th year in a row,” said Michael Leonard, Columbia Athletic Director. “Winning this award speaks to the high level of coaches, student-athletes, school and community we have. I am so proud of our coaches who take sportsmanship and leadership to the forefront of Athletics.”
Some of Columbia’s activities this year included:
- Donating more than $10,000 for ovarian cancer research from the 16th annual Teal Ribbon Run
- Boys’ Basketball program donating $4,000 for Coaches vs. Cancer
- Athletic Department giving gifts to 10 senior citizens and 10 families including 29 children during the holidays
- Cheer Team bringing gifts to children at St. Anne Institute in Albany and visiting with them during the holidays
- Student athletes volunteering at Columbia’s Rainbow Games, a field day for special needs students
- Athletic Department promoting sportsmanship in several publications and events including the Athletic Code of Conduct and the pre-season coaches meeting
“We would like to congratulate all the banner award winners and all the schools that work hard to promote sportsmanship in our Association,” said Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “To have over 200 schools submit surveys to be considered for a banner this school year shows how important sportsmanship is throughout New York State.”
Sportsmanship Promotion Banner Award Winners
2018
Columbia High School (Section 2)
Franklin High School (Section 11)
Islip High School (Section 11)
West Genesee High School (Section 3)
2017
Columbia High School (Section 2)
West Genesee High School (Section 3)
2016
Byram Hills High School (Section 1)
Columbia High School (Section 2)
Cooperstown High School (Section 3)
2015
Columbia High School (Section 2)
2014
Carthage High School (Section 3)
Columbia High School (Section 2)
2013
Columbia High School (Section 2)