Archie Griffin is a two-time Heisman Trophy winner from The Ohio State University.  During his high school and collegiate career, Mr. Griffin demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, integrity, and ethics.   This award is given to one middle school male and one middle school female athlete from each school in the Ohio High School Athletic Association and is the highest honor an athlete can achieve from our school.

Click here Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award Application and Essay Prompt 2025

Purpose

To recognize one outstanding male and female athlete who each exemplify the ideals of sportsmanship.  Some of these ideals and qualities, which Mr. Griffin himself displays, are integrity, leadership, a positive attitude, academic discipline, humility, and volunteerism.

Criteria

1. The athlete shall have displayed the qualities mentioned above.
2. The athlete shall be in good academic standing, 2.5 or higher.
3. The athlete will have participated in at least four sports seasons for Hilliard Heritage Middle School.

• Participation on a club sports team does not count towards the four sports seasons – ie. Soccer, swimming, volleyball, etc.

4. The athlete will complete the procedures listed below.
5. Any disciplinary action will automatically eliminate an athlete as a candidate for this award.

Procedure

1. Essay
   • Each applicant will write a three-five paragraph essay on a topic addressing the ideals of the award.
   • All athletes will write on the same topic
   • Essays will be reviewed by a panel of coaches/teachers.
   • Essays will be critiqued on grammar, proper paragraph structure, and how thoroughly the topic is addressed.

2. Interview
   • The applicants will be interviewed by a panel of coaches/teachers
     • The applicants will be interviewed by a panel comprised of a Heritage Administrator, staff member, counselor, and athletic department member.
     • The interview panel will interview each applicant individually with a series of questions to be determined by the athletic director.
     • The interview panel will be the same for all applicants.
     • The panel will determine the recipients of the Archie Griffin Award

Timeline

• Applications Due: Thursday, April 17^th by 3:00pm, 2025
• Applicant Interviews: Interviews Week of April 21st, 2025
• Award Presentation Assembly:  Monday, May 5th, 2025

If there are any questions, please contact Jay Smith at jay_smith@hboe.org or 614-921-7330.

 

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