Newtown High School’s athletics department was recognized with a pair of sportsmanship-based Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) awards this fall.

NHS is among 28 CIAC member schools to receive a 2024-2025 Michaels Jewelers Achievement Cup for dedication to sportsmanship. The schools were recognized at CIAC’s 19th annual Sportsmanship Conference on October 7.

Schools that are part of CIAC’s Class Act program can be considered for the Michaels Jewelers Achievement Cup Award. The Michaels Jewelers Cup Committee recognized these exemplary athletic programs for their willingness to subscribe to the Class Act Sportsmanship standards, empowering students to take an active role in their school climate, and their continued support for community service. These 28 schools have made sportsmanship a priority in their district.

What’s more, the NHS athletics department was selected for the CIAC-Fred Balsamo Award for Sportsmanship. This annual award is presented to select CIAC athletic programs to support new and innovative initiatives which promote sportsmanship and ethics in CIAC member schools. The award acknowledges a school’s commitment to providing a sound, educationally-based athletic program.

From Newtown High’s Sports program, which provides playing and teamwork opportunities for special needs students, to various volunteer projects on the part of the many athletics teams and programs, there is an abundance of opportunity for athletes and coaches alike to lend their time to make things better for others.

“I think we go above and beyond,” NHS Athletic Director Matt Memoli said. “The coaches we have are second to none.”

NHS has 110 coaches for freshman, junior varsity, and varsity sports, including many volunteers.

“It’s nice to be recognized. It’s a huge reflection of the coaches.”

Team members volunteer at youth sports practices and tournaments. The football team honors fallen veterans with flags at their graves. Cheerleading Coach Susan Bridges and Swim Coach Lisa Irving spearheaded a Week Of Giving, a program-wide collection of donations for FAITH Food Pantry. These are just a few of the many community service things NHS coaches and athletes do off the field.

On the playing fields, the high school athletes are looked up to by youth athletes, so it is important for them to set a good example with sportsmanship. NHS squads are regularly either winners of or among the top vote-getters for South-West Conference Sportsmanship awards, Memoli said.

“The way you handle yourself on and off the court is so important,” he added. “You’re representing your town, the place you live, and the school you go to.”

“We have to act like we’ve been here before, whether we win, lose, it’s a great play, or bad play,” NHS Football Coach Dan Farina said.

NHS won the SWC Achievement Cup in 2024, honoring its dedication to sportsmanship as well as success on the playing surfaces.

“I’d rather coach a team of good kids that goes 0-16 then a team that goes 16-0 with not good humans,” said Megan Goyda, who coaches field hockey and softball at NHS.

“It’s really a family, a community,” Madison Slater, who plays field hockey and golf, said of the school’s athletics department.

Sports can get heated at times, and it is important for student-athletes to remember they are playing a game. There are times in which athletes will help an opponent up after a collision. After games there are cheers for opponents and officials, and high-fives for the opposition.

Maureen Maher coaches tennis, which, compared to many sports, has a built-in level of sportsmanship. Tennis players are responsible for calling shots in or out, for example. But Newtown sometimes goes the extra mile with lesser-experienced teams. Maher said her players will assist some opponents with how to score and some of the rules.

“Sportsmanship is a huge thing for me,” Maher said. “I always tell the girls at the start of the season how fortunate they are. Our students are great. They do recognize being fortunate and being part of a great community and we have to keep paying that forward.”

Farina credits Memoli for setting the tone. “He does a lot I think he doesn’t get credit for,” the football coach said.

It all begins at home, with how children are raised, and continues with preseason meetings led by Memoli and coaches.

“We feed off his leadership. The school has good coaches who are there for the kids and are positive role models. Our student section is second to none,” Farina said. “Our kids who don’t play sports deserve a lot of credit.”

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.