Cincinnati, Ohio, December 16, 2015 – Saint Ursula Academy is proud to be selected once again to win the prestigious Harold A. Meyer Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award from the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). For the eleventh year in a row, The OHSAA has recognized Saint Ursula Academy students and fans for their commitment to good sportsmanship, ethics and integrity.
Sportsmanship, ethics and integrity (SEI) are part of the mission of the school and Saint Ursula has taken steps to ensure these values are included as part of the education for all students, not just student athletes.
This award is presented to schools who take significant steps to not only emphasize sportsmanship to students, coaches, parents and fans, but also to emphasize the values of ethical behavior and integrity. Winning this award takes a lot of effort and commitment. Applicants are required to complete an eight-part program in their schools and communities showing that they are promoting the SEI values.
“We believe that learning to treat others with respect and acting with ethics and integrity is something all of our students can carry with them through their lives, in competition and beyond,” said Saint Ursula Academy Principal Craig Maliborski.
“We are grateful that the OSHAA has recognized our efforts to live up to the highest standards of good sportsmanship, ethics and integrity not only in athletics but in everything we do here at St. Ursula,” says Mike Sipes, Saint Ursula Athletic Director.
SUA has taken its position on ethical sportsmanship seriously with the formation of the Good Sportsmanship Committee in 2004. The Committee meets four times a year and consists of students, coaches, past parents and faculty members. The strict policies on ethical behavior have been consistently adhered to with the goal of promoting good sportsmanship throughout SUA to include the student body and all of the fans.
Saint Ursula Academy junior Ellie Rueve from Hyde Park is on the Good Sportsmanship Committee and was present to receive the award on behalf of SUA. “The fact that SUA has won the Harold Meyer Award award for 11 years in a row reflects its consistent effort towards achieving sportsmanship in every aspect of athletics and beyond. From the spirit in the stands, to the athletes focused on their game, SUA students always put first their respect for others,” said Rueve.
“This award is a great example of how we are all living our mission of educating women of faith, integrity and courage who are committed to building a better world,” said Saint Ursula President Lelia Keefe Kramer ’77.
The award is named in honor of the late Harold A. Meyer, commissioner of the OHSAA from 1969-1977, and may be won annually as long as the minimum requirements are met.
In addition to the Harold A. Meyer award, St. Ursula Academy once again earned the Respect the Game Challenge award from the OHSAA. St. Ursula has received this distinction every year since its inception in 2010. Recipients of the Respect the Game award must have shown a commitment to ethics and integrity in sports. Earning the Respect the Game Challenge is one qualification required for nomination for the Harold A. Meyer Award.
St. Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women known for academic excellence and rich tradition. St. Ursula welcomes students from more than 70 grade schools in the Greater Cincinnati area. In 2002 the Academy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910. The Class of 2015 earned college scholarships totaling more than $19-million.
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Photo Caption: Receiving the Harold A. Meyer award are the members of the Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity Committee. (Front row, l-r) Ellie Rueve of Hyde Park, Sarah Moore of Villa Hills, Kate Perazzo of Anderson Township, and Grace Ehemann of Anderson Township. (Back row, l-r) SUA Athletic Director Mike Sipes, SUA Principal Craig Maliborski, 2015 Respect the Game of Life Award Winner Tom Keefe, SUA Swim Coach Ann Gartner and SUA President Lelia Keefe Kramer