Shelby County schools honored for good sportsmanship

The Indiana High School Athletic Association recently announced a list of schools that achieved the state’s highest sportsmanship numbers – and all five Shelby County schools were included.

During the 2024-25 school year, the IHSAA began recognizing schools’ sportsmanship and adherence to the principles of wholesome amateur athletics in this new way.

As part of the IHSAA’s Sportsmanship/Leadership program, school administrators are able to monitor their score daily on the member schools-only myIHSAA website.

Those schools who have accumulated 100 points are recognized as “First Team All-Sportsmanship” and those with 95 points are recognized as “Honorable Mention All-Sportsmanship.”

These scores are based solely on deductions for the spring season so they will not reflect the ongoing total sportsmanship score for a school if the school engaged in activities to earn points through the sportsmanship program.

Seasonal Sportsmanship Awards recognize schools at the end of each season based on scores for an individual season. For example, spring sportsmanship scores are based solely on the spring sports regardless of what sportsmanship score was achieved in the fall and winter.

Points are deducted by contest ejections of players, coaches, administrators and fans.

“We want to acknowledge and congratulate those schools who have exemplified sportsmanship as indicated by their sportsmanship scores,” said IHSAA assistant commissioner Jane Schott, who administers the IHSAA sportsmanship program. “By recognizing schools as the end of season, we hope this encourages schools to celebrate those programs who show exemplary sportsmanship.”

In Shelby County, Morristown, Triton Central and Waldron were named First Team All-Sportsmanship.

Other notable schools to receive the honor were Batesville, Christel House, Columbus East, Columbus North, Delta, East Central, Eastern Hancock, Edinburgh, Greenfield-Central, Greensburg, Greenwood Christian, Greenwood, Indian Creek, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter, Indianapolis Scecina, Knightstown, Milan, Monrovia, Mt. Vernon, New Castle, New Palestine, Pendleton Heights, Rushville, South Decatur, Speedway, and Yorktown.

Shelbyville and Southwestern were named Honorable Mention All-Sportsmanship.

Other notable schools earning that designation were Cascade, Center Grove, Hauser, North Decatur and Oldenburg Academy.

The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed.