INDIANAPOLIS, IN (July 21, 2020) – The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) is pleased to announce that Sheridan (Indiana) High School has earned Level 1 status in the NFHS School Honor Roll. Sheridan High School is the first school in Indiana to earn Level 1 status in the NFHS School Honor Roll.
The newly instituted NFHS School Honor Roll is a national recognition program designed to promote professional development for high school coaches by completing specific online education courses through the NFHS Learning Center (www.NFHSLearn.com).
In earning Level 1 status, more than 90 percent of the coaches at Sheridan High School completed the core course “Fundamentals of Coaching” along with three of the Learning Center’s most significant courses – “Concussion in Sports,” “Sudden Cardiac Arrest” and “Protecting Students from Abuse.”
“We want to congratulate the coaches and administration at Sheridan High School for taking this significant step in prioritizing professional development,” said Dr. Karissa Niehoff, NFHS executive director. “These four courses will definitely help the coaches at Sheridan High School to handle the daily challenges in high school sports and should serve as a challenge for other schools to follow their example.”
“We are extremely proud of our athletic department and coaching staff,” said Rick Davis, principal of Sheridan High School. “We know coaches have a critical role in both the safety and development of our student athletes. The professional development from NFHS helps us to ensure our coaches are as well trained as possible. We are committed to excellence, and this is one more step in that direction.”
“Sheridan High School is honored to be a Level 1 NFHS school,” said Beth DeVinney, CMAA, athletic director at Sheridan High School. “The commitment our coaches have made to professional development speaks volumes to the kind of educators we have working with our student-athletes. I am so honored to be a Blackhawk and equally honored to work with such a special and caring group of coaches. As a former high school coach, I understand the time that these coaches put into their programs, and I think this award speaks volumes to the Team > Me approach they take daily! Thanks to the NFHS team for all your help! We are honored and excited to hang this banner in our gymnasium as a sign of Blackhawk Pride.” #wingsup
As a physical sign of completing Level 1 certification, Sheridan High School will receive a large display banner for its school gymnasium to commemorate its accomplishments and dedication to professional development and education-based activity programs.
Schools can earn Level 2 status (and a Level 2 banner) on the NFHS School Honor Roll when more than 90 percent of their coaches – excluding volunteer coaches – complete courses that pertain specifically to sports they coach, along with “First Aid, Health and Safety,” “Heat Illness Prevention” and “Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.”
A Level 3 banner will be awarded for schools that reach 90-percent completion for the “Sportsmanship,” “Strength and Conditioning,” “Teaching and Modeling Behavior,” “Engaging Effectively with Parents” and “Bullying, Hazing, and Inappropriate Behaviors” courses.
“Earning the NFHS School Honor Roll banner is a symbol that the school and its coaches are committed to providing a great experience for young people, and it’s something that everyone can be proud of within their communities,” said Dan Schuster, NFHS Director of Educational Services.
For more information on the NFHS School Honor Roll and to apply for participation in the program, please visit https://nfhslearn.com/home/administrators.
