For the fourth year in a row, the BKW Boys Varsity Soccer Team has won the Class C Sportsmanship Award, once again beating out the approximately 25 other schools in the class for the title.

The 2009 Boys Varsity Soccer Team: Nathan Hayduke, Devin Busch, Ryan LaBelle, Brandon Galgay, Brett Flansburg, Jacob Tambasco, Mike Galgay, Chris White, Harry Tyndell, Eric Scanlon, Kevin Mason, Jordan Gonyea, Nate Krimsky, Curtis Clark, TJ Dibble, Brandon Kallner, Corbin Repscher, Coach Jim Gillis. Missing: Mike Casullo, Steve Yakel

The soccer team has previously won the award in 1997, 2003 and every year since 2006.

“For me, I think it shows that we approach the game the right way,” says Varsity Soccer Coach Jim Gillis. “You go out and you play – sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but you conduct yourself the right way.”

Gillis says he strongly emphasizes the importance of sportsmanlike conduct both on and off the field with his players. Though his approach is working, it’s still a bit of a challenge, especially when young athletes see certain negative behaviors in professional sports, he says.

“The kids know that if I see negative behavior happening they’re coming out of the game,” Gillis says. “Are we always guardian angels? No. They still play hard, but I want to instill a sportsmanlike mindset from the beginning. It starts with the coach, who establishes the line they don’t cross – and if they want to play, they don’t cross it.”

The BKW community would like to extend its congratulations to the Varsity Boys Soccer Team for winning this award for the fourth straight year.