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Two county high schools have been selected to receive sportsmanship awards from the Florida High School Activities Association.
Clearwater Central Catholic (Class 2A) and Shorecrest (Class A) will receive the Fred E. Rozzelle Sportsmanship Award, which will be presented at the FHSAA Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Tampa on June12. Eleven schools in all are being recognized.
CCC and Shorecrest will receive a plaque and $500 from the FHSAA and will also qualify to win the overall state sportsmanship award, which includes an additional $1,000. Shorecrest won the award in 1992 and '97 and CCC was honored in 1999.
"This really speaks well for our coaches and athletes and our fans because they've got the proper perspective," said Phil Hayford, Shorecrest athletic director and football coach.
Since schools cannot nominate themselves, nominations come from either game officials or another school. Once nominated, the schools must submit a sportsmanship portfolio to the FHSAA.
Bob Cotter, the athletic director at CCC, said soccer and basketball officials nominated the Marauders, complimenting the athletes' and coaches' behavior.
"It's always nice when you hear from officials because those are probably the most abused guys in the world," Cotter said.
COTTER ELECTED: Cotter was elected to the FHSAA's board of directors after winning a runoff against Admiral Farragut principal Edward L. Gilgenast and Tampa Prep assistant principal Peter Shepley.
The position was previously occupied by Jesuit athletic director Sonny Hester.
Cotter was elected by the acting FHSAA school representatives from Section 3 to serve as one of four private school representatives on the 15-member board. His term will last three years.