For the first time in program history, Salem College Women's Basketball earned the accolade for Sportsmanship Award, a coveted conference-wide prize.
"It's such an honor when your student athletes are recognized for a trait that is so important to the mission of collegiate athletics," Athletic Director Patricia Hughes said. "We know that when we face another team on the courtwe are both there to give it our all, but we also undertand how important that good sportsmanship and simple acts of kindness are, and it's really amazing to know that other schools recognize that trait in our basketball team, as well."
During the 2004-2005 academic year the USA South Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee instituted the award and the 2018-19 winter sports season winners were announced today.
Covenant College collected the men's basketball honor for the fourth consecutive year, and fourth time in program history.
There will be a Sportsmanship Award for the 12 Conference-sponsored team sports. Men's and women's cross country, men's golf along with men's and women's track & field are not included due to a lack of a conference schedule in those particular sports. For each of the other sports, all team members vote for the teams he/she deemed to have demonstrated the best overall sportsmanship throughout the season. The team garnering the most votes receives that sports' Sportsmanship Award. The institution which wins the most individual sport awards will be presented with the overall USA South Sportsmanship Trophy. The award was developed as a result of the SAAC's commitment to maintaining a sportsmanlike environment on each of our campuses.
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee hopes that by awarding a Sportsmanship Award, the members of the USA South will understand the importance of this issue. It is vital that good sportsmanship be demonstrated in the arena of competition.
Winter Sportsmanship Award Winners
Men's Basketball - Covenant College
Women's Basketball - Salem College
Fall Sportsmanship Award Winners
Football - Greensboro College
Men's Soccer - Berea College
Women's Soccer - William Peace University
Volleyball - Covenant College