COFFEYVILLE — Fan support of the Field Kindley High School men’s basketball team at the recent class 4A state tournament has caught the attention of the Kansas State High School Athletic Association.
So impressed with Field Kindley’s student section, fans, cheerleaders and general positive morale that KSHSAA awarded Field Kindley with the Outstanding Sportsmanship Award for the class 4A men’s tournament.
The actual award, along with medals for each of Field Kindley’s cheerleaders, will be given to the student body sometime within the next week, said Ben Smith, FKHS principal. Smith said the sportsmanship award will be featured prominently in the trophy case at Field Kindley High School.
Smith had nothing but accolades for the FKHS students, cheerleaders and fans — saying their behavior at the state tournament promoted a positive experience at the tournament.
“The kids were really good about following through with the expectations set out for them at the tournament,” said Smith.
Smith said two spirit buses filled with FKHS students made the trip to the state basketball tournament in Salina, Kan. One of the three basketball games included more than 150 Field Kindley students, including cheerleaders, which added to the excitement of the tournament.
KSHSAA acknowledged positive sportsmanship at each state basketball tournament. All ninety-six high school teams participating in KSHSAA state basketball tournaments (men’s and women’s teams in class 1A through class 6A) may qualify for an award. A rating system is used allowing schools to compete against a standard of excellence, rather than competing against one another.
Schools whose teams did not advance to the semifinal rounds were eligible to receive a certificate if they met the qualifying standards of sportsmanship. Schools participating all three days of the tournament, such as Field Kindley, were eligible to receive a plaque for their school and medals for cheerleaders.
A special sportsmanship committee appointed by the KSHSAA evaluated and rated the cheerleaders, school cheering section, adult and non-high school followers, team and coach of each school.
Smith said KSHSAA gave less than satisfactory reports of Field Kindley’s fan and student support when the men’s basketball team competed at the state tournament in 2002. In fact, KSHSAA acknowledged some negative aspects of Field Kindley’s student behavior and fan interaction from that 2002 tournament.
“Promoting positive sportsmanship is something we’ve been working on for the past four years,” said Smith. “Basketball is one of the main sports where sentiments and behaviors can spill out easily, due to the closeness of the game with the spectators. As principal, I’m elated to see us recognized for promoting a strong, positive image.”
FKHS cheerleaders who will be given sportsmanship medals include Jordyn Barrett, Jill Shively, Hayley Oneslager, Kaley Schockey, Rachel Linnebur, Mikinzie Hensley, Sydney Hensley, Kristian Thompson, Jordan Roberts and Kyra Colbert.
