News Release

Everett Public Schools

January 30, 2007

For more information:

Robert Polk, 425-385-4260

Mark Myers, SCBOC 206-391-9442

Two Everett High players honored for sportsmanship

Brett Lund and David Safstrom were honored last week by the Snohomish County Basketball Officials Association (SCBOA)

with a 2006-07 Sportsmanship Award. The players were honored simultaneously as part of SCBOA's ongoing effort to

recognize students and adults who demonstrate fairness, ethics, fellowship and respect on the court.

"SCBOA's members know that competition is more than winning and losing," said Mark Myers of SCBOA as he explained the

reason for last week's award. "We officials do what we do for the kids and for the love of the game. A player or coach who

shows exceptional sportsmanship helps the game in so many ways. Often the pressures of competition, individual

achievement, or introduction of technology can work against participant enjoyment. These young men never wavered under

that pressure."

SCBOA sportsmanship awards come in two formats. One is game by game. Anyone connected with a boy's basketball game

in Snohomish County could be nominated by an official working that game. Officials may notice the exemplary sportsmanship

of a player or a coach of a home or away team. Even out-of-county coaches or players can be nominated, as was the case

recently of an honored Bellingham coach and player at a game in Snohomish County. The awards also go to all levels of play -

not just varsity, emphasized Myers.

At the last SCBOA meeting of the year, the officials determine their Player-of-the-Year and Coach-of-the-Year award. We take

the game-by-game nominations into consideration with other evaluation aspects to name the SCBOA student Player of the

Year who also receives a scholarship with this award. Ninety percent of the player award is based upon sportsmanship instead

of game statistics. The Coach-of-the-Year award is also based upon the same criteria during a vote at the end of the year.

Myers started the concept of recognizing coaches and players in 2002. It was something that I felt was important on a variety

of fronts. The program stalled for a time but has been re-energized. Officials take biweekly nominations at their meetings and

also via e-mail sent to Myers at mmyers@pacificlegal.com

. Once the officials make their award decision, Myers notifies the

honorees, the principals, and the athletic directors of each school.

everett

Page 1 of 1

http://www.everett.k12.wa.us/everett/1-30-07b

6/8/2009