GPS Athletic Program Honored By TSSAA
Friday, November 09, 2012
The Girls Preparatory School athletic program was recognized in early November by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee and the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) for having the highest performing athletic program in 2011-12 among all Division II-AA schools statewide.
The BlueCross Championship Series award is based on points earned in quarterfinal, semifinal, final round, and championship TSSAA appearances divided by the number of sports offered at the school. In addition to a banner, GPS received a $2500 cash donation to the school.
“The BlueCross Championship Series recognizes athletic excellence and sportsmanship, two of the key tenets the TSSAA strives to promote amongst its member schools,” according to Bernard Childress, Executive Director of the TSSAA.
At the TSSAA regional meeting during which the awards were presented, GPS basketball and softball coach Susan Crownover was honored as Female Coach of the Year and presented the A.F. Bridges award for representing “what’s best in high school athletics.”
Both the bowling and basketball teams won state championships last year. The GPS track and field program finished second in state competition, as did the softball and tennis teams. Although not counted toward the program’s award total, a number of girls won individual state honors and championships, and 10 seniors in the Class of 2012 are continuing their sports participation in college.
GPS Athletic Director Stacey Hill said of the award, “I’m extremely pleased that GPS was recognized by the TSSAA for having the most successful athletic program in Division II AA. It is an honor for our coaches and student-athletes to receive this recognition while competing in a division with so many outstanding schools throughout the entire state.”