Red Gold IHSAA Sportsmanship Award

The RED GOLD IHSAA SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD which will recognize the outstanding efforts of individual schools to promote sportsmanship and student leadership in their schools during each of the fall, winter and spring seasons. At the conclusion of each season, RED GOLD will present a $2,000 cash award to the school that best exemplifies good sportsmanship in all areas of their athletic programs both on and off the field. RED GOLD will recognize the Sportsmanship Award recipient during one of the IHSAA Championship events at the conclusion of each season. The IHSAA Student Advisory Committee is soliciting information directly from each school to determine the award recipient.

Nominations for this award may be submitted online, by logging on the www.ihsaa.net site and going to the RED GOLD link under the “Announcements” section. Member schools may submit their nominations at any time during the 2009-10 school year.

R ules adherence. Does your school have any ejections or rules violations? If so, what are you doing to prevent similar occurrences in the future? Schools should demonstrate what they do to encourage strict adherence to sport rules and IHSAA by-laws.

E mphasis on sportsmanship in your school. Does your school have a sportsmanship plan? What is that plan? How do you emphasize sportsmanship in your school? Do you use banners, signs, announcements, etc…..?

D evelopment of a plan to recognize teams and/or athletes in your school. Schools should show how they award or honor those who demonstrate good sportsmanship in athletics.

G reeting and welcoming activities. Does your school have a plan to welcome opponents to your school for competition? Do you do anything special for visiting fans at your athletic events?

O fficials recommendations. Do you have any IHSAA exemplary behavior reports on file? Do you have a plan to welcome and take care of officials when they work at your school?

L eadership activities. Does your school sponsor leadership activities for your athletes? Do your athletes have a chance to develop their leadership skills while participating in athletics at your school?

D emonstrate why your school should be chosen for this award over any other school. Is there anything that is unique about your sportsmanship program?

2009-10 Spring Winner

Red Gold is proud to announce that LOWELL HIGH SCHOOL has been selected as the winner of the RED GOLD IHSAA SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD for the 2010 spring sports season. This award recognizes the outstanding efforts of an individual school to promote sportsmanship in their high school athletics program. Red Gold, IHSAA, and the IHSAA Student Advisory Committee participated in the award selection process which considered submissions from more than 110 IHSAA member schools from throughout Indiana.

“The unique and innovative programs that Lowell High has developed truly demonstrate the schools’ commitment to promote sportsmanship throughout their athletic programs,” explained Greg Metzger, Director of Marketing with Red Gold. “Red Gold is pleased to present a $2,000 cash award to Lowell High School because they exemplify good sportsmanship within their own athletic program and also strive to recognize the sportsmanship of the schools they compete against.”

Lowell High School engaged in more than 30 distinct activities focusing on sponsorship, including an innovative “Sportsman of the Game” program that presented a t-shirt reading “Winning isn’t everything but Sportsmanship is!” to an individual athlete from both the home and visiting team at selected games.

Red Gold honored Lowell High School with a special presentation Saturday, June 5 at the IHSAA Track and Field State Finals at The Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex on the campus of Indiana University.

“Lowell High School is not only honored but ecstatic for being named the 2010 spring recipient of the Red Gold/IHSAA Sportsmanship Award!" said Lowell Athletic Director Don Bales. "There has been a consistent emphasis to build a sportsmanship characteristic in the Lowell community that would evident to all who participate – athlete, coach, referee, fan. We encourage good sportsmanship because it portrays our school and our community in a positive light. We want all participants to understand that there is a collective responsibility to creating an environment where everyone can embrace a memory that can be shared and used in such a way to make future activities in our athletic programs a wonderful place to attend. Good sportsmanship is a commitment to fair play, ethical behavior, and high level of integrity all lifetime components of a healthy lifestyle.”

As the Official Tomato Products supplier of the IHSAA, Red Gold recognizes that high school sports do more than thrill and inspire us. They help prepare today’s young athletes to be tomorrow’s community leaders. Red Gold, headquartered in Orestes, Indiana, is one of the largest privately-owned tomato processors in the nation. Red Gold produces premium quality canned tomatoes and tomato-based products for the retail, foodservice, private label, and club channels of distribution. Exceptional quality and operational excellence are the foundations that ensure the company commitment, “To produce the freshest, best tasting tomato products in the world.” Join our email newsletter, Tomato Country® for delicious recipes and special offers at www.RedGoldTomatoes.com.