Bloomfield High School has received two distinct Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference sportsmanship awards, quite an accomplishment for the student-athletes who have enhanced a tradition of championships and citizenship.
A contingent from BHS recently attended an award ceremony in Southington to receive its sixth consecutive Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Michaels Cup Award, which recognizes exemplary athletic programs that have a high commitment to sportsmanship.
BHS also received the Fred Balsamo Sportsmanship Award, a recently established honor named after Connecticut Association of Athletic Directors Executive Fred Balsamo. (The Balsamo Award is given to schools that demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship and provide an enjoyable experience for students in athletics.)
“These awards represent what we stand for here at Bloomfield High – for all teams,’’ said Ryan Phillips, a senior captain on the football team. “Not just to win, but to win with class and grace.”
Over the last two decades, BHS has earned 68 CIAC state championships – in eight sports. Last year, BHS won three CIAC state championships - boys’ basketball, boys’ track & field; girls’ track & field.
“As an academic-based athletic program, we place great importance on being good sports and providing opportunities for our students to be successful in the classroom and while competing,’’ said BHS’ Director of Athletics Allison Borawski. She also noted that BHS coaches have been influential role models who “hold our student-athletes to high expectations, and it shows in the many accolades we receive from (sports) officials and opposing schools.’’
Principal Jesse White praised the student-athletes for consistently representing the district well across the state and for burnishing a school brand that “demonstrates a high level of citizenship and emotional intelligence as they compete.”
