Pottsgrove honors 11 students after seventh straight Pioneer Athletic Conference sportsmanship award

The Pottsgrove School District board recognized 11 students Wednesday after the district was named the Pioneer Athletic Conference sportsmanship award winner for the seventh year in a row. School officials said the award reflects student conduct in locker rooms, on the field and in interactions with visiting teams.

The recognition came during agenda item 3.1 when Director of Athletics Steve Ansbach told the board the award is decided by opposing coaches and praised students, coaches and parents. "This is the 7th year in a row we've won this award," Ansbach said, calling the honor "a testament to our students, to our coaches, to our athletic staff, and to our parents." He emphasized the district message that students are "student before athlete."

Three students offered examples of sportsmanship the district said helped secure the recognition. Julia Prendle described a cross‑country meet when Pottsgrove runners noticed an opposing Pottstown competitor still on the course and chose to run with and cheer her to the finish: "we all decided...to cheer her on and run with her all the way to the finish until she was finished," Prendle said. Another cross‑country student described a team tradition of creating a decorated snack box for opponents to take home; a cheerleader described a "home candy bag and a hello cheer" given to visiting teams at home games.

Ansbach read the roster of 11 students representing football, cheerleading and cross country and invited them to display a banner for the board. The board chair said the recognition "matters more than winning," stressing that the award reflects character and integrity.

The recognition was ceremonial; no formal board action was required. The district also noted that the nominations and voting are completed by coaches from other schools, not by Pottsgrove staff.