Pomperaug High School was recently named a 2026 Sportsmanship Champion at the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) annual Sportsmanship Conference.
PHS was also selected as a recipient of the 2025-26 Michaels Jewelers Achievement Cup. The honors were presented during the CIAC’s 20th annual Sportsmanship Conference, presented by the University of Hartford and held on October 7, 2026, at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.
The Michaels Jewelers Achievement Cup recognizes CIAC member schools for their commitment to sportsmanship and the positive impact their athletic programs have on their school communities.
The theme of this year’s CIAC Sportsmanship Conference, “Everyone Has a Role to Play on Game Day,” reinforced the shared responsibility of student-athletes, coaches, officials, families, fans, and school communities in creating a positive experience around education-based athletics.
Through Powder Puff and Pomp Olympics, students have supported the Southbury Food Bank, while a wheelchair basketball event brought the Connecticut Spokebenders to campus for an inclusive community experience. Students also introduced “Pack the Stands” games to encourage students and community members to attend and support teams across all sports.
Sportsmanship is also recognized on an individual level at Pomperaug. Coaches nominate student-athletes each week for exemplary sportsmanship, with each honoree recognized for a specific example of positive behavior that others can emulate.
Pomperaug’s commitment to a positive athletic culture was also reflected at the conference level during the 2025-2026 school year, with both boys’ golf and boys’ volleyball earning SWC sportsmanship awards.
“These recognitions reflect the culture our student-athletes, coaches, and school community work to build every day,” said Danielle McCauley, Region 15 Athletic Director. “Sportsmanship is about much more than what happens during competition. It is about how we treat one another, how we represent our school, and how we contribute to our community. We are very proud of our Panthers and the example they continue to set.”
