RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference announced the 2019 Fall Sportsmanship honors, with the East Central University football team claiming its first award.

"These awards emphasize the NCAA Division II focus on sportsmanship and game environment," GAC Commissioner Will Prewitt said.  "We could not be prouder of what these programs that have put forth on the field and in ways that aren't necessarily reflected in the outcome."
 
The honor is the seventh for a Tiger team, with women's cross country claiming the inaugural honor in 2012-13, men's and women's tennis earning them in 2015-16, soccer in 2016-17 and women's basketball in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
 
In 2012, The GAC's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee initiated a sportsmanship award to be presented for all team sports. The winning school will receive a banner similar to the one presented to GAC tournament championship winners. The goal of the program is for member institutions to promote good sportsmanship among its teams, fans, and all involved with the events.  
 
The winners of the GAC Team Sportsmanship Awards were chosen by league officials and coaches based on a point system.