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 Peotone High School Baseball Coach Phil Hudson was submitted by an IHSA baseball official:

I chose to write this SAWA report for Phil Hudson from Peotone High School not because of one specific event, but because of witnessing him coach the right way and handling adversity in a way many coaches do not. I have had multiple Peotone varsity baseball games, including their regional last year, and regardless of the circumstance, Phil always handles himself with class and uses every opportunity as a teachable moment.

Whether it is a questionable call, an opposing team with poor sportsmanship, or a crucial error by his team, he keeps his cool.

This past Monday I witnessed an example of this. Peotone was playing a great game against Montini Catholic and the game went into the 8th inning. With runners on 1st and 2nd, Montini bunted and Peotone made a throwing error to 3rd, causing two runs to score which were enough for Montini to win. Obviously upset that the throw went to 3rd instead of 1st, Phil handled himself well and used the situation to coach his players up. If more coaches were to react in this way, instead of coming unglued on players, the level of baseball in Illinois would be much improved.