Oceanside High School wins high mark in sportsmanship

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association named Oceanside High School among one of the four high schools as winners for the 2022-23 sportsman promotion program.

This marks the 27th year deserving schools have been recognized by the athletic association program.

The award is presented to schools that have developed proactive approaches to keeping sportsmanship at the forefront with their students, coaches, spectators, and communities.

More than 260 schools submitted the sportsmanship promotion survey to the state athletic association, and nearly 50 schools were chosen by their sections as plaque winners.

The four schools selected as banner award winners — which include Oceanside, Port Byron High School just west of Syracuse, Cleveland Hill High School near Buffalo, and Shelter Island School in Suffolk County — will be presented a banner at their school during a ceremony on a date and time of their choosing.

This is the first Oceanside High has been chosen for this honor. Sportsmanship is a primary focus at Oceanside, according to school officials, and each year the athletic department honors an-athlete on each team with a sportsmanship award.

The athletics department takes additional steps if there are any issues with fan behavior, resulting in a meeting with the athletic director to address those issues before that person is allowed to return to any sporting events.

The school also suggests coaches, students, and parents take the National Federation of High Schools sportsmanship course as well as its course on bullying, hazing and inappropriate behavior.

“Sportsmanship is about more than just winning or losing. It is about respecting your opponents, teammates, the coaches, the officials, and the game itself, said Tom Lehman, Oceanside High’s athletics director, in a release. “When student-athletes, coaches and spectators work together to set the standard of excellence, great things can be accomplished.

“I thank the entire Oceanside community for upholding the core values of respect, accountability, and support for all student-athletes, coaches, opponents, and officials, all while promoting fair play. Your collective efforts have allowed our district to be honored and recognized.”