For its outstanding athletics program, Staples High School was not only awarded the 2010 Michaels Achievement Cup for Class LL schools, it was also the overall winner at the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference's annual Sportsmanship Conference at the Aqua Turf Club last week.
"I've been here 11 years, and while we've won for our class before, we haven't been able to win overall, so I was stunned when they announced us," said Marty Lisevick, athletics director at Staples. "I have to give credit to our coaching staff, our amazing student athletes and their supportive parents. This was just tremendous."
Created in 1985, the Michaels Achievement Cup honors high school athletic programs that provide exemplary athletic programs, as defined by sportsmanship, athletic participation, academic scholarship, athletic personnel, athletic equity, substance-free initiatives and athletic achievement.
"Winning this award says a lot about our total athletics program. We do win a lot of games, our students do exhibit great sportsmanship, most of the student body, I think it's 70 percent, play a sport," Lisevick said. "But I think they were also impressed with our scholar athlete and student athlete leadership programs."
In the state, schools are grouped into six classes based on enrollment. These classes range from Class LL to Class S, with Class LL being the largest. Each class has a winner, and the school with the best overall marks is named the overall Michaels Achievement Cup winner.
Other 2010 Achievement Cup winners, by class, are Berlin High School for Class MM, Hand High School in Madison for Class L, Weston High School for Class M, Northwest Catholic for Class SS and St. Bernard's in Uncasville for Class S.
Staples last won the Michaels Achievement Cup award in 1989.
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