Four Vermont high school soccer teams have been recognized with regional awards for setting the standard in sportsmanship this season.
The Vermont Soccer Officials Association named the Enosburg Falls Hornet boys and U-32 Raider girls from the north, along with Fair Haven Slater girls and Sharon Academy Phoenix boys from the south, as winners of the state’s 2025 Sportsmanship Award.
This inaugural award follows a new process where referees rated teams after every regular-season and tournament game on player, coach, fan and administrative behavior, according to an announcement from the association. Officials worked more than 1,700 games this fall.
Association president Marvin Pritchard said, “The school, community and soccer official relationship you have developed is a model for others to emulate.”
Frank Martel, a longtime referee and Northern Vermont Athletic Conference assignor, said true sportsmanship means respecting opponents and officials — even when calls don’t go your way.
The association also highlighted finalists that displayed exemplary conduct. Southern Vermont League finalists included MSJ, Stratton and Randolph girls and Otter Valley, Brattleboro and West Rutland boys. Northern finalists included Caledonia United, South Burlington and Richford girls and Richford, Essex and BFA Fairfax boys.
Eric Evans, Southern Vermont League assignor, noted that poor sportsmanship is common nationwide but praised Vermont’s positive culture. “It is refreshing to see Vermont high school soccer be immune to this trend,” Evans said.
Athletic directors at the winning schools are planning recognition events. Association officials are expected to attend and present banners and certificates to the honored teams.
This story was created by Dave DeMille, ddemille@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
