Morehead State's rifle program is the recipient of the 2021-22 Ohio Valley Conference Sportsmanship Award. It is the program's fifth all-time Sportsmanship Award and second straight. MSU finished second in the OVC championship this season.
Voted on by the student-athletes and coaches of the respective sports, the team awards are given to the conference squads who have shown that they best exhibited the standards of sportsmanship and ethical behavior as outlined by the OVC and NCAA. Included in the areas for evaluation are the conduct of student-athletes, coaches, staff and administrators and fans.
"Without sportsmanship there are truly no meaningful victories," said Beth DeBauche, OVC Commissioner. "The recipients of the OVC Team Sportsmanship awards should accept this award with great pride for their fellow competitors have made it clear their teams exemplify the best in intercollegiate athletics. In receiving this prestigious honor, other competitors are saying these student-athletes compete with class, respect their opponents and value fair play. That is quite a compliment as those are all traits that will lead to true victories throughout the course of life."
When asked about receiving the award, Head Coach Alan Joseph was humbled and excited.
"I am proud of our team for consistently working hard and competing, but not losing sight of the importance of showing respect and class to our opponents."
MSU also won the honor in 2010-11, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2020-21.
The Eagles are set to wrap up the regular season Saturday at the NCAA Qualifier at Kentucky's Barker Range.
(By Joe Yates, Morehead State Athletic Media Relations)