Sheridan High School earns IHSAA Sportsmanship Award

Good sportsmanship means having good character as well as being a good athlete, and student athletes at Sheridan have earned state recognition for that sportsmanship. (Photo provided by Sheridan Community Schools)

Submitted by Sheridan Community Schools

The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has released the rankings of schools with the highest sportsmanship ratings for the 2023-2024 school year, and Sheridan High School received the fifth-highest ranking among all high schools in the state.

Sportsmanship rankings are based on the following criteria: coaches/team sportsmanship reports in competition throughout the school year, having a Student Leadership Council, taking part in a community service project, attending the “Lead ‘Em Up” sportsmanship program, and attending a leadership conference.

Photo provided by Sheridan Community Schools

Sheridan athletes have an active student athletic leadership group, volunteered at the Kokomo Rescue Mission for a day, attended “Lead ‘Em Up” as well as a presentation by high-level motivational speaker Alan Stein. These activities, along with the positive reports of sportsmanship throughout the 2023-2024 sports seasons, gave them 125 points, which was the fifth-highest in the state.

DeVinney

“Each year we strive to be better than the next,” Sheridan High School Athletic Director Beth DeVinney said. “The 23-24 was a tremendous year for SHS Athletics. We work with our SALT (Student Athlete Leadership Team) to put a premium on sportsmanship and how we can best represent our school and community. Our coaches, teams, and community have done an excellent job in representing Sheridan with exemplary sportsmanship.”

Sheridan High School’s commitment to sportsmanship continues to set a high standard across the state. The school takes pride in fostering an environment where athletes excel not only in their sport but also in their character. The collaborative effort between students, coaches, and the community has established a culture of respect, leadership, and service, making this recognition a true team achievement.

Photo provided by Sheridan Community Schools

Davis

“At Sheridan, we believe that true success comes not just from winning games but from how we handle ourselves on and off the field,” High School Principal Rick Davis said. “This award reflects our students’ dedication to representing our school with integrity, and I couldn’t be prouder of their efforts.”

Mundy

The sentiment was echoed by Superintendent Dave Mundy, who added, “This recognition highlights the character of our students and the entire athletic program. It’s a testament to the hard work of everyone involved.”

Editor’s note: The only other Hamilton County high school receiving recognition was Guerin Catholic, ranked 20th.