For Immediate Release
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
NSIC Media Relations

BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Commissioner Erin Lind presented Southwest Minnesota State Director of Athletics Chris Hmielewski with the league’s 2018-19 Sportsmanship Award at the NSIC’s Annual Hall of Fame banquet. This marks the second time in the 12 year history of the award that SMSU has earned the honor, as the Mustangs earned the award during the 2012-13 academic year. 

The NSIC Sportsmanship Award is voted on by the NSIC head coaches and a Student Athlete Advisory Committee member based on the sportsmanship of players, fans, staff and coaches at each opposing NSIC institution.  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.”

SMSU is one of eight institutions to be bestowed with this distinct honor. Since its inception in 2008, Northern State (2008), Bemidji State (2009, 2011, 2014), University of Mary (2010), Wayne State (2012), Southwest Minnesota State (2013 & 2019), Minnesota Crookston (2015) and Upper Iowa (2016, 2017) have earned the award.

Past NSIC Sportsmanship Award Winners

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	Bemidji State
2007-08	Northern State

#NSIC#