TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) is continuing to put sportsmanship front and center, recognizing 36 high schools across the state as part of its second annual League Sportsmanship Award following the 2025–26 basketball season.
The award, which names one school per league or conference as a Sportsmanship Champion, reflects a broader emphasis on behavior, respect, and accountability—not just from players and coaches, but from entire school communities.
“This award is a wonderful testimony to our schools’ professionalism and efforts to promote positive sportsmanship,” said Megan Hagaman, Assistant Executive Director of Fine Arts and Spirit.
How Schools Were Selected
After the basketball season concluded, member schools across Kansas voted within their leagues to determine which school best exemplified sportsmanship throughout the year.
Evaluations extended beyond the court, factoring in:
- Player and coach conduct
- Spirit squads and cheer teams
- Pep bands
- Student sections and crowd behavior
The goal: recognize schools that consistently demonstrate respect—whether in victory or defeat.
Statewide Recognition
Among the 36 schools honored were several from northeast Kansas and surrounding regions, including:
- Manhattan – Centennial League
- West Franklin – Flint Hills League
- Santa Fe Trail – Pioneer League
- Shawnee Mission North – Sunflower League
- Turner – United Kansas Conference
Other winners represented leagues across the state, from Andover Central in AVCTL I & II to Weskan in the Western Kansas Liberty League.
Each school will receive a sportsmanship state championship trophy, formalizing what KSHSAA leaders say is one of the most important victories in high school athletics.
More Than a Game
KSHSAA Executive Director Bill Faflick emphasized that sportsmanship is foundational to student development.
“Of top priority among the lessons learned through activity participation is promoting sportsmanship,” Faflick said. “It helps students develop the ability to self-regulate and respond appropriately in both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.”
Why It Matters
In an era where youth sports can sometimes mirror the intensity—and negativity—of higher levels of competition, KSHSAA’s initiative is a reminder that high school athletics are still rooted in education.
For communities across Kansas, these recognitions highlight something often overlooked:
how a team—and its supporters—carry themselves matters just as much as the final score.
