The New York State Public High School Athletic Association Inc. (NYSPHSAA) is proud to announce Cold Spring Harbor High School (Section VIII) and Sharon Springs Central School (Section IV) as the winners of the 2023-2024 Sportsmanship Promotion Banner Award. This is the first year each of the schools has earned the award and the 28th year NYSPHSAA has honored deserving school districts through the Sportsmanship Promotion program.

Each year, NYSPHSAA presents the Sportsmanship Promotion Banner Award to schools that have developed proactive approaches to keeping sportsmanship in the forefront with their students, coaches, spectators, and communities. Winners are decided based on their Sportsmanship Promotion survey, a tool built to assist athletic departments in examining their policies and procedures used to promote positive sportsmanship within their athletic community.

“I am thrilled to congratulate Sharon Springs and Cold Spring Harbor for winning the Sportsmanship Promotion Banner Award,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “The dedication to fostering an environment of respect, integrity, and fair play both on and off the athletic arena exemplifies the highest ideals of high school athletics. Your commitment to sportsmanship not only enhances the experience for all participants but also sets a shining example for future generations."

For the 2023-2024 school year, 312 schools submitted the Sportsmanship Promotion survey to NYSPHSAA with 49 schools selected by their Sections as plaque winners. The two award winners for this year were selected based on not only being recognized by their sections as plaque recipients but also neither school having a single athlete or coach disqualification from any of their athletic events in the 2023-2024 school year. The Sportsmanship Banner will be presented to Cold Spring Harbor at a future Board of Education meeting.

Cold Spring Harbor High School – Section VIII

Emphasizing the power of recognition, Cold Spring Harbor builds in multiple events to celebrate and award student-athletes with positive sportsmanship practices. Sportsmanship winners within the school are acknowledged during awards ceremonies, as well as in front of their district during Board of Education meetings. Along with recognizing the positive practices, Cold Spring Harbor strongly addresses when poor sportsmanship is presented. Student-Athletes must meet with the Athletic Director and other members of school administration in-person after an incident presenting poor sportsmanship.

Cold Spring Harbor is also active in learning how to build stronger sportsmanship practices through the NFHS Course catalogue, and shares new information regarding sportsmanship or diversity, equity, and inclusion through the athletic department when it’s received.

“Cold Spring Harbor Central School District is honored and humbled to receive the Sportsmanship Recognition Award from NYSPHSAA. Sportsmanship is a yearly focus in the athletic department, holding high expectations for our athletes, coaches, and spectators,” said Cold Spring Harbor Athletic Director, Michael Bongino. “Athletics is an essential part of the educational process, and sportsmanship displayed in a competitive environment, whether winning or losing, is paramount to developing our student-athletes and culture in Cold Spring Harbor.”