As a part of the IHSA Do What’s Right! Sportsmanship Program, member school personnel and licensed IHSA officials have the ability to recognize acts of exemplary sportsmanship and integrity that occur in IHSA events throughout the school year via the Sport A Winning Attitude Report (SAWA). Those who are recognized receive a special certificate from the IHSA and select SAWAs are featured here on the IHSAState website.

The SAWA Report below on Gillespie High School Softball player Molly Grey (pictured) was submitted by an IHSA softball official:

During this varsity contest, I noticed the Molly Grey being very positive and very supportive of her teammates. She chanted things like “new play, new play or shake it off” during some tough innings. She was one of the only people on the team supporting all her teammates by verbalizing her wishes for a better outcome. But the item that really solidified this student-athletes great ambassador attitude of softball was when an opponent struck the ball for a base clearing double, Molly went over to the opponent and I heard her tell her “great hit,” and did so with a smile. That is the type of student-athlete we should recognize…one that smiles in the face of adversity and speaks out against turmoil in an effort to bring about positive change. This student-athlete should be highly favored in the eyes of her coaching staff, her teammates, and the IHSA. Molly exemplifies what it is to be a good sport.

(All photos courtesy of The BenGil Post)