MADISON- The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) recognized schools from the 2019-2020 school year without a single ejection and no sportsmanship-related fines. Those schools were acknowledged for their outstanding sportsmanship emphasis and included Liberty Middle School and Sparkman Ninth Grade School.

“I can say that is an expectation I have had of my team since I arrived here at Liberty and not just student-athletes, but my teammates-teachers/staff- and myself,” said Shannon Brown, principal at Liberty Middle School.

The AHSAA Sportsmanship Program began following the 2007-2008 school year and this year 136 high schools and 247 middle schools from across the state of Alabama were sighted for excellence in sportsmanship. The 247 schools recognized represent 74-percent of all member middle schools in Alabama.

“We are extremely proud of the work our schools do to emphasize the importance of good sportsmanship with our student-athletes,” said AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese. “It is a testament to the example the administrators, coaches and teachers set for their students.”

“Although it is difficult at times, we are constantly demonstrating the principles we want to see in our athletes,” said Ryan Foy, athletic director at Liberty, which is home to 1,400 students. “Self-discipline begins with the mastery of your thoughts. If you don’t control what you think, you cannot control what you do. This is the expectation of our athletes and coaches at Liberty Middle School.”

The Sportsmanship Program has annually recognized the schools at the AHSAA Sportsmanship Banquet as part of the AHSAA Summer Conference. In July, the Summer Conference was conducted online and no banquet was held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.