Photo courtesy of Craig Hockenberry Poland Athletic Director Brian Banfield poses in Columbus with the banner he received this morning when Poland was named the recipient of the OIAAA Bruce Brown Award.

Poland Local Schools’ athletic department has become the 2024 recipient of the Ohio Association of Interscholastic Athletic Administrators’ Bruce Brown Award. The award was received Monday in Columbus.

The purpose of the OIAAA award is to celebrate schools that have demonstrated intentional and consistent efforts to improve school sports culture.

“Yesterday (Nov. 10) we were notified that our athletic department has met all the criteria to receive one of the highest awards in the state, the Bruce Brown Award of Excellence,” said Poland Superintendent Craig Hockenberry. “This is a very exciting time and a great credit to Poland’s amazing work in our athletics department. I would like to personally thank Director of Athletics Brian Banfield, Department of Athletics. secretary Kim Brant and everyone involved in fulfilling the criteria for this award. The credit goes to everyone.”

Hockenberry said Poland was in the running for the award last year.

The award is named after the OIAAA’s first executive director, Bruce Brown, who died in 2020.

To qualify for the award, an athletic department must meet various criteria in nine different categories, including Philosophy of Education-Based Athletics, Educational Strategies, Risk Management, Access/Equity, Evaluation, Technology/Media, Sports Medicine, Innovation/Creativity and Continuous Improvement. According to the OIAAA webpage, the award is for schools that “intentionally educate and support the mission of education-based athletics in Ohio.” The site said schools that define success solely by wins and losses, or the number of championship trophies it has, are simply missing the mark.

“Each year a small group of school districts receive the award and this year was Poland’s year,” Hockenberry said. “Poland’s athletics department is led by one of the most organized, detailed, and passionate athletic directors not only in the region, but in the entire state. (Brian) Banfield uses our athletic programs to unite our community to win both in the classroom and on the field. This award is well deserved. It tells the story of a school district full of school spirit and pride.”

Banfield made the trip to Columbus this morning to accept the banner that will be displayed at Poland Seminary High School.