Phil Zona Sportsmanship Award

The Sportsmanship Awards has been established by Massachusetts Hockey to recognize and celebrate the principles of good sportsmanship epitomized by the spirit of respect, dignity, courtesy, responsible behavior and fair play, not only in sports, but in all of life’s endeavors.

Who is Eligible?

Any graduating senior in high school or expected freshman scheduled to enroll in an institute beyond high school who is a current or former ice hockey player who played for a Massachusetts Hockey registered youth/girls'/women's hockey program(s) for at least 5 seasons (does not need to be consecutive 5 seasons).

How to Apply:

Information for the 2025 Sportsmanship Scholarship Application will be available on this Massachusetts Hockey website. The 2025 Sportsmanship Application will open on February 15, 2025 and due by April 10, 2025.

APPLICATION CRITERIA:

• Applicant must have participated in Massachusetts Youth/Boys/Girls/Women’s Hockey Program for a minimum of five (5) years, which must be verified in writing by the Program’s Registrar or President. The applicant does not have to be currently playing/participating; does not need to be playing consecutive seasons; all five (5) seasons do not need to be with the same program.
• Applicant must have received, or will receive, a high school diploma from an accredited secondary school, or a high school equivalent degree this year.
• Applicant must have been accepted and plans to enroll in an institute beyond high school in order to receive the award.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENT:

1. Complete theonline application here (link posted on sportsmanship page)
   1. Allquestionsontheonlineformmustbe answered.
   2. Application must be completed and filled out by the Applicant ONLY
   3. Applicant will be required in the online form that directions were read, understood and completely followed.
2. Include a signed statement from an official Mass Hockey Program documenting a minimum of five (5) years of participation. The statement must be signed by the Program President or Registrar. Copiesofbillswillnotbeacceptedasdocumentation.
3. Download, fill out and upload the SchoolCounselor Certification Form. Available for download here à http://bit.ly/mhschoolform
4. Applicant must upload a statement, with focus on Sportsmanship, convincing the Award Committee why you, the Applicant, should receive this award. Statement must not exceed two (2) letter-sized pages. Statement must be double-spaced and in 12-point font.
5. Two letters of recommendation are required. Can be uploaded or emailed to info@mahockey.org
   • The first letter must be from a current or former coach in any sport addressing the Applicant’s sportsmanship.
   • The second letter may be from any adult (including other coaches) addressing the candidate’s sportsmanship.

• ALL required forms will be asked to be uploaded withtheONLINE application as one combined document. WORD, and/or PDF document will be accepted.

NOTE: No recommendations from any relative of the Applicant, or from officers or directors of Massachusetts Hockey will be accepted.