Sportsmanship is defined as “a set of behaviors to be exhibited by student-athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and fans in athletic competition. These behaviors are based on values including respect, civility, fairness, honesty and responsibility”.  Individuals associated with the NSIC are expected to conduct themselves with honesty, integrity and fair play. 

To encourage excellent sportsmanship, the NSIC Sportsmanship Award has been awarded annually since 2008.  The award is given to the institution with the highest sportsmanship rating as voted on by the NSIC head coaches and Student Athlete Advisory Committee members.  The coaches and SAAC members vote for all conference institutions that they competed against in a given year.  Each institution they vote on has a maximum total of 25 points based on the following categories: student-athletes (5 points), coaches (5 points), staff (5 points), fans (5 points) and social media (5 points). 

Since its inception in 2008, Northern State (2008), Bemidji State (2009, 2011, 2014), Concordia-St. Paul (2018, 2022 & 2025), University of Mary (2010), Wayne State (2012), Southwest Minnesota State (2013, 2019), Minnesota Crookston (2015), Upper Iowa (2016, 2017) and Minnesota Duluth (2023-24) have been selected to receive the award.

2024-25	Concordia-St. Paul
2023-24	Minnesota Duluth
2022-23	MSU Moorhead
2021-22	Concordia-St. Paul
2020-21	Not Awarded (Covid)
2019-20	Not Awarded (Covid)
2018-19	Southwest Minnesota State
2017-18	Concordia-St. Paul
2016-17	Upper Iowa
2015-16	Upper Iowa
2014-15	Minnesota Crookston
2013-14	Bemidji State
2012-13	Southwest Minnesota State
2011-12	Wayne State
2010-11	Bemidji State
2009-10	University of Mary
2008-09	Bemdji State
2007-08	Northern State