The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) has established a program to recognize and promote outstanding sportsmanship among middle school and high school athletes. This initiative, embodied by the NFHS Student-Athlete Award of Excellence, aims to highlight students who exhibit exceptional sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity both on and off the field.
Through this program, TSSAA encourages schools to nominate student-athletes who have demonstrated exemplary citizenship and sportsmanship. Each nominated athlete receives a certificate from NFHS and TSSAA, and their stories are featured monthly on the TSSAA website and news. In the 2023-2024 review, more than 300 middle school and high school athletes were recognized, with their names and schools listed on the TSSAA website.
In addition to recognizing individual athletes, TSSAA also honors schools, coaches, administrators, and contributors who promote positive sportsmanship through the AF Bridges Awards. This program includes divisional awards, state awards of excellence, and athletic district awards, recognizing a total of 63 winners across the state. Schools that have no reported incidents of unsportsmanlike conduct receive certificates and banners to display their commitment to sportsmanship.
The program's success is evident in the positive response from coaches and the growing number of participants. TSSAA plans to continue highlighting outstanding sportsmanship by recognizing athletes and schools throughout the coming year, emphasizing that participation in sports is not just about winning or losing, but about learning valuable life lessons through respect, honesty, and integrity.
If you have any questions about the The Right Team and are interested in a visit to your school, please contact Courtney Brunetz.
Courtney Brunetz,
Right Team Coordinator
Office: (423) 624-0762
Fax: (423) 622-5693
Email: cbrunetz@tssaa.org
