SOUTHINGTON — Sportsmanship awards used to be given to the losing team who had no hope of winning any other award. This award has evolved — especially when the sportsmanship awards are now being given to the teams who are, in the words of the CIAC representatives, winning teams who “win with respect.”

This “Class Act Schools” term has been coined by the CIAC and schools that have adopted the Class Act initiative into their schools and sports teams. In attempts to increase sportsmanship and positivity, representatives from around the state of Connecticut came together to create the standards of being a Class Act School. 

Being a Class Act School is not an award that the school’s athletics have achieved a high level of sportsmanship. Rather, it is the commitment to strive for the best level of sportsmanship possible. 

The officers and advisors of Nonnewaug’s Athletes’ Council attended the statewide conference Oct. 3 at the Aqua Turf in Southington to hear from panelists of coaches, athletes, and referees from various leagues and schools around Connecticut. They shared stories and strategies about how to defuse rowdy parents and fans in the student section, heard from referees about their struggles with harassment from the crowd, as well as what to do to stop the increasing referee shortage. 

Athletic director Declan Curtin and the athletic site supervisor Kyle Brennan hoped that this visit would inspire the student-athletes as well as themselves to bring something important — besides lunch leftovers — back to the school. 

“I brought back many desserts,” Brennan said. “But really, we brought back an understanding for some of the challenges that exist in terms of sportsmanship, like what officials and coaches have to deal with. It would be great for the student-athlete leaders to bring back ideas to increase student pride and involvement in athletics.”

Nonnewaug also received an award during the conference. In recognition of being an athletically strong school, while also showing some of the best sportsmanship, the Chiefs received a Fred Balsamo Sportsmanship Award. 

“It feels great to have been recognized out of all the high schools in Connecticut as a recipient of the award,” said vice president of Athletes’ Council Gianna Lodice. “It definitely proves that other schools and officials in the CIAC recognize our school’s efforts to be an example of sportsmanship in the Berkshire League and beyond.”

Lodice said she expects Nonnewaug to improve its existing commitment to sportsmanship.

“My hope is that with the recognition of the award, we can expect sportsmanship to increase this year,” Lodice said. “I would say that our fans and parents are already pretty respectful, so I’m sure that will continue. Our athletes are also an overall great group of students representing our school, so I expect our teams across the board to continue playing at a high level and being good sports in the process.” 

Nonnewaug’s Athletes’ Council plans to meet consistently throughout the year to promote positivity and sportsmanship throughout the athletic body, and continue to be recognized as a Class Act School. 

“At the end of the day, you can’t have competition without the other team or the refs,” Lodice continued. “Being good at sports is a no-brainer, and going above and beyond will make sports more enjoyable for everyone at Nonnewaug, as well as our competitors.”