Vina earns AHSAA award

By Staff
Scot Beard
The Alabama High School Athletic Association recently recognized Vina High School for exhibiting excellent sportsmanship during the previous school year.
The Red Devil athletic program completed the year without having a single player or coach ejected from a game.
"Our athletes were able to keep their heads during games," said Vina football coach and athletic director Bill Smith. "Sometimes that is hard to do when you're competing. I've been kicked out of games before."
Smith said he was proud the school earned the recognition, because the coaches stress good sportsmanship.
Vina was one of 92 schools in Alabama – and the only one in Franklin County – to earn this distinction.
The AHSAA recently teamed up with STAR Sportsmanship to educate players and coaches about the value of sportsmanship.
Since high school athletes have had access to the STAR Sportsmanship program, football ejections have decreased by 41 percent.
Beginning in 2008, all student athletes must complete STAR training before they will be eligible to compete in sports or cheerleading.
All high school coaches must complete the program by the start of the 2009 season.
The AHSAA is stressing good sportsmanship beyond players and coaches.
A special online program is available for parents. Game officials will have a program available to them soon.