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The Tom Higby Sportsmanship Award?

The Tom Higby Sportsmanship Award was instituted to encourage the highest level of sportsmanship within the Leagues operated by NSYSA at the Recreational level. To learn more about Tom Higby, click here:

How it Works?

During each Fall Season League Match you play within an NSYSA Recreational League (U11 & Above), your team's sportsmanship will be evaluated by the opposing team.

This evaluation will be reported by your opponent when they submit their Match Report on the NSYSA Website using a ranking of 1-4 with 1 being the lowest (Poor) and 4 being the highest (Outstanding). Each team is to be considered to be at a rating of 3 when they arrive at the pitch.

Just as we expect a sportsman-like cheer and handshakes at the conclusion of each game, coaches failing to supply a ranking are demonstrating less than model sportsmanship, and their omission will be factored into end of year Sportsmanship award decisions.

A complete description of each rating (1-4) is provided below:

At the conclusion of the Fall Season, the NSYSA Sportsmanship Committee will evaluate all the Sportsmanship and Misconduct data collected. They will then determine if one (1) or more teams in a bracket will be awarded a Sportsmanship Award. Likewise, it is possible that no teams in a bracket may be awarded a Sportsmanship Award.

Of course, filing Sportsmanship Ratings requires Coaches to file game Coach Reports. Failure to file any coach reports can factor in deciding a team tie for both Standings and Sportsmanship.

All Sportsmanship Awards will based solely on the committee's evaluation of the reported ratings and misconducts received.

Sportsmanship Ratings

Rating = 1 (Poor)

To rate a team with a 1 requires that an accompanying text entry be included in the report to justify this rating.

Traits exhibited to obtain this rating are:

• 1 or more red cards/expulsions; 2 or more yellow cards/warnings (Unacceptable)
• Coach/Team Captain and/or Fans display poor sportsmanship and is uncooperative. Examples of such behavior as described in one or more details below:
  

  The Coach/Team Captain have no control over him/herself, teammates, and/or spectators.

  Team creates an unsafe and hostile environment to the point where a field supervisor and/or officials have to step in and stop the game (e.g. verbal and physical threats, punching, fighting). Other examples may include multiple ejections or joining in an altercation that has started (e.g. goalies, spectators, or other participants leaving their respective areas).

  Excessive number of personal fouls.

Rating = 2 (Below Average)

Traits exhibited to obtain this rating are:

• No red cards/expulsions; No More Than 1 yellow card/warning
• Team displays below average sportsmanship by exhibiting behavior as described in one or more details below:
  

  Coach/Captain and Fans consistently engages in verbal dissent of officials, opponents, teammates, and spectators.

  Coach/Team Captain exhibits little control over team, spectators, and/or him/herself (e.g. throwing or kicking the ball out of frustration after a play or call).

  Team members consistently engage in rough play (e.g. excessive pushing and malicious fouls).

  Team members engage in excessive trash talking that is offensive and disrespectful.

  Above average number of personal fouls.

Rating = 3 (Average)

Traits exhibited to obtain this rating are:

• No red cards/expulsions; No yellow cards/warnings
• Team displays above average sportsmanship in every detail below:
  

  All players cooperate fully and respectfully address officials about rule interpretations and calls.

  Coach/Captain exhibits full control over him/herself, their team, and fans.

  The Coach, Team and Fans displays respectful conduct towards the opposing team, officials, spectators, and teammates (e.g. retrieving balls after they go out-of-bounds).

  Regardless of score or game situation, team aims to create a positive atmosphere for all (e.g. complimenting and encouraging everyone involved with the game).

  Team does not intentionally run up the score if leading by a large margin.

  Team picks up after self (i.e. throwing away empty water/Gatorade bottles and organizing caps).

  Players respond to official’s warnings and requests.

  Average number of personal fouls, no rough fouls.

Rating = 4 (Outstanding)

To rate a team with a 4 requires that an accompanying text entry be included in the report to justify this rating.

Traits exhibited to obtain this rating are:

• No red cards/expulsions; No yellow cards/warnings
• Team displays above average sportsmanship in every detail below:
  

  All players cooperate fully and respectfully address officials about rule interpretations and calls. Coach/Captain exhibits full control over him/herself, their team, and fans.

  The Coach, Team and Fans displays respectful conduct towards the opposing team, officials, spectators, and teammates (e.g. retrieving balls after they go out-of-bounds). Regardless of score or game situation, team aims to create a positive atmosphere for all (e.g. complimenting and encouraging everyone involved with the game).

  Team does not intentionally run up the score if leading by a large margin.

  Team picks up after self (i.e. throwing away empty water/Gatorade bottles and organizing caps).

  Players respond to official’s warnings and requests.

  Limited number of personal fouls, no rough fouls.

Presentation of Tom Higby Sportsmanship Awards

The District will not be conducting its own Award Ceremony after the conclusion of this season. Instead, the District plans to make its presentation of Divisional Awards and the Tom Higby Sportsmanship Awards at the indivudal Club Award presentations to acknowledge those teams who have won their Division and those deserving of the Tom Higby Sportsmanship Award.