We believe there’s something more important than just winning or losing a tournament. We believe that the team, school, and fans who support their athletes with dignity and class are the true champions. That’s why we’ve proudly sponsored the WIAA/Rural Mutual Insurance Sportsmanship Award for 55 years.
We would like to congratulate Hartford Union on being this year’s recipient of the Gymnastics Sportsmanship award. It is the first time Hartford Union has been chosen winner of the sportsmanship award in gymnastics. It’s the second sportsmanship award won by the school overall. The Orioles were previously recognized for their sportsmanship in girls soccer
When talking with Head Coach, Mary Scherr we asked her what this award meant to her as a coach, the team and community along with how they teach their athletes about sportsmanship.
Thank you so much for this honor! Becoming State Champions for the first time in program history was so exciting and receiving the Sportsmanship Award was the Cherry on Top of our incredible season. It was a year that none of us will forget.
Receiving the WIAA/Rural Mutual Sportsmanship Award is such an honor not only to our program but our school and entire community. We are so incredibly proud of our team for not only their gymnastics accomplishments but for the amazing young women that they are. They are humble, polite, caring and supportive of their Teammates and their opponents as well. This award speaks volumes about who they are as young women. They are true Champions and they have represented Hartford in such a positive manner not only at the State Championship but all season.
In our program we talk about creating a Championship Culture. One of the Key components of creating a Championship Culture is Sportsmanship. One of our mottos is to Win with Dignity and Lose with Grace. They are taught to respect themselves, their teammates, coaches, opponents and officials. They are expected to represent themselves, their families, our program, school and community in a positive manner. This is an important lesson in athletics and in life.
On behalf of our Team and School we would like to thank you again for this honor. WE ARE HARTFORD!
Coach Scherr has been coaching high school gymnastics for 35 years. Coach Scherr informed us that her favorite part of coaching is working with the kids! As a coach, she wants to share her love of gymnastics with the athletes she works with and encourage them to be the best they can be. Along with Gymnastics skills, she hopes to teach important life skills that will benefit them beyond the gym. She wants them to learn the value of hard work and persistence, the importance of believing in themselves, overcoming fears, developing a never give up attitude and to understand the importance of teamwork.
Coach Scherr went on to tell us that
“Not everyone will be at the top of the awards stand as an individual. However, as an integral part of a ” TEAM” if you work hard and strive to be the best you can be, while encouraging your teammates to do the same then, hopefully we can make it to the top together. I also want them to realize success isn’t always measured by wins and losses. A season is a success if we accomplished the goals we set and showed significant improvement from beginning to end”.
“On behalf of our Team and School we would like to thank you again for this honor. WE ARE HARTFORD”!
Congratulation again on a great season and winning the WIAA/Rural Mutual Sportsmanship award. This is a great achievement for the Hartford community.
