William Shelton, Lebanon High School Freshman, received his Indiana High School Athletic Association, IHSAA, Championship pin for his displays of positive sportsmanship in the Oct. 14 JV football game against Western Boone.
Shelton was honored with an IHSAA Exemplary Report that highlighted the reasons behind his awarding of the pin.
“Lebanon #40 William Shelton exhibited exemplary sportsmanship,” the report reads. “During plays in which Shelton made tackles in the backfield, Shelton was seen helping the opposing players up and encouraging them to keep playing hard. During plays when the opposing team made good plays, Shelton was again seen helping players up and telling the opposing team good job. Shelton is a leader on the field and exemplifies the best qualities in a student athlete. William Shelton’s actions on the field bring great credit to himself, the Lebanon football, the school and his family.”
Philip Levine, Lebanon High School Athletic Director, expressed in a written statement that Shelton exemplified the characteristics of a team player and an outstanding example of sportsmanship.
“His actions throughout the game did not go unnoticed,” Levine wrote. “Way to go William.”
The pin and #FaceOfSportsmanship campaign operate with a goal to remind all Indiana high school athletes of the importance of sportsmanship as they pursue their athletic and academic goals.
“Sportsmanship, quite simply, translates to lessons in citizenship for the 160,000 young men and women who participate in high school sports in Indiana,” reads the IHSAA website. “Your enthusiastic participation in this IHSAA program will help counter possible negative influences that exist in our society in regards to sportsmanship. More importantly, it will help set a positive example for others to follow. We encourage and thank you for your school’s full support of this program.”