The CIAC hosted the 2013 sportsmanship conference, featuring teen leadership specialist A’ric “The Dream Achiever” Jackson, at the Aqua Turf Club on November 21st. Now in its seventh year, this annual event is one of the largest that the CIAC sponsors. More than 620 student leaders, team captains, athletes, coaches, athletic directors and school administrators were in attendance.

The conference kicked off with a keynote address from renowned speaker A’ric Jackson, whose mission is to “T.I.E.” – Teach, Inspire, and Encourage – all those who hear him. Jackson wowed the audience with his “Fearless Leadership” presentation, asking the student leaders and adults in attendance, “Do you know how juicy life can be when you are unapologetically you?” Following the address, students participated in two 45-minute breakout sessions, one directed by Mr. Jackson, the other by the Positive Coaching Alliance, a national nonprofit organization focused on developing competitors and teaching life lessons through sports. Adult attendees had the opportunity to take part in a two-hour workshop from the Alliance titled “Leading Your Athletic Department: Developing a Positive Coaching Culture.”

Immediately following lunch was the presentation of the Michael’s Cup Exemplary Program awards to seventeen outstanding schools. Bloomfield, Brookfield, Bunnell, Cheshire, Daniel Hand, East Catholic, East Hampton, Fairfield Ludlowe, Gilbert, Haddam-Killingworth, Ledyard, Lyman Memorial, Northwestern, Notre Dame-Fairfield, Sacred Heart, Shepaug Valley, and Weston High Schools were the schools that received recognition as exemplary programs. They were selected based on achievement in seven distinct areas: sportsmanship, participation, athletic scholarship, athletic personnel, equity, chemical free initiatives and athletic achievement.

The highlight of the afternoon was the unveiling of the 2012-13 overall Michael’s Cup recipient. Congratulations to Weston High School! The program concluded with entertaining and inspiring remarks from Mr. Jackson.