ELMHURST, Ill.—The University of South Dakota received the 2015-16 Summit League Sportsmanship Award on Thursday as voted on by fellow league institutions. It marks the first time the Coyotes have earned the prestigious award since joining the Summit League in 2011-12.
The Summit League Sportsmanship Award is given annually to the institution that is judged by its peers to be the best in the league in living up to the ideals of sportsmanship. Areas for evaluation include student-athlete conduct, staff/administrator conduct, coaches' conduct and event management.
"This award speaks to the sportsmanship and class which our student-athletes, coaches and staff exemplify," said USD Director of Athletics
David Herbster. "We take great pride in representing ourselves, our teams and the University of South Dakota with integrity and dignity."
Summit League Commissioner Tom Douple presents the Sportsmanship Award to South Dakota Athletic Director David Herbster.
Southern Utah owns the league record with five Sportsmanship Awards, followed by Centenary with three and Fort Wayne, Omaha and South Dakota State each capturing a pair of awards. South Dakota joins IUPUI, Kansas City and Valparaiso, which have each earned the honor once.
| Previous Sportsmanship Award Winners |
|
| Academic Year |
School |
| 1998-99 |
Kansas City |
| 1999-2000 |
Southern Utah |
| 2000-01 |
IUPUI |
| 2001-02 |
Valparaiso |
| 2002-03 |
Southern Utah |
| 2003-04 |
Southern Utah |
| 2004-05 |
Southern Utah |
| 2005-06 |
Southern Utah |
| 2006-07 |
Centenary |
| 2007-08 |
Centenary |
| 2008-09 |
South Dakota State |
| 2009-10 |
Centenary |
| 2010-11 |
South Dakota State |
| 2011-12 |
Fort Wayne |
| 2012-13 |
Omaha |
| 2013-14 |
Omaha |
| 2014-15 |
Fort Wayne |
| 2015-16 |
South Dakota |
