KTKA

The Executive Board of the Kansas State High School Activities Association authorized creation of a special award recognizing the values inherent in participation in high school sports beyond winning and losing.

The award is officially known as the "KSHSAA Spirit of Sport Award". In announcing the program, KSHSAA Executive Director Gary Musselman invited all member high schools of the Association to submit the name of an individual, coach, or team demonstrating such qualities.

Nine Kansas high schools submitted nominations. Nominees include: Beloit-St. John's High School girls volleyball team, coach Jim Papen of Altoona-Midway High School, student Cory Keehn of Holton-Jackson Heights High School, student Alexander Smith of Olathe-South High School, coach Don Melby of Scandia-Pike Valley High School, student Storm Simons of Shawnee Mission-North High School, student Casey Sedbrook of WaKeeney-Trego Community High School, coach Jeff Hulse of Olathe-East High School, and student Hannah Reusser of Wichita-Trinity Academy High School.

Nominees will be considered for state level recognition by the KSHSAA, with the state of Kansas honoree to be named in February. The twelve members of the KSHSAA Student Advisory Team will participate in the selection of the state of Kansas honoree. Once the Kansas honoree is determined, a plaque will be presented to the individual or team at a KSHSAA state championship event. That individual or team will also be submitted in consideration for national recognition by the National Federation of State High School Associations. The National Federation began the "NFHS Spirit of Sport Award" one year ago.

"Kansas is the first state high school association in the nation to develop a state Spirit of Sport Award for the express purpose of recognizing outstanding acts of character and leadership, demonstrating the true spirit of sport in educational athletics," said Executive Director, Gary Musselman. "We believe it is important to focus attention on the many positive acts which occur in our programs every year. Without question, every Kansas high school has students and faculty who demonstrate the true spirit of amateur sport on a daily basis. Bringing recognition to those individuals for their quiet and selfless acts is in keeping with the mission of the KSHSAA."