Choosing the Best of the Best
A State of Excellence
In every state that sanctions a given sport, one athlete is selected as Gatorade State Player of the Year in that sport.
The Gatorade State Player of the Year winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of outstanding athletic excellence, high standards of academic achievement and exemplary personal character demonstrated within and beyond competitive athletics. All state winners are eligible for the Gatorade National Player of the Year award in their respective sports.
The Nation's Big 12
The Gatorade National Player of the Year in each sport is chosen from the pool of State Player of the Year honorees.
After Gatorade State Player of the Year winners are announced, these athletes are further evaluated and analyzed on their athletic achievements, academic accomplishments and overall personal character.
From the pool of state honorees, a single winner representing each sport is chosen to be the Gatorade National Player of the Year. These 12 national winners represent the nation's best all-around high school student-athletes and are eligible for the program's culminating honors: Gatorade Male Athlete of the Year and Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year.
The Best of the Best
The Gatorade male and female Athlete of the Year are elected from the pool of National Player of the Year honorees.
Each year, a national voting panel-consisting of approximately 400 sports journalists, coaches, prep sports experts and analysts-evaluates the 12 Gatorade National Player of the Year honorees. Balloters elect the nation's top overall male and female high school athlete primarily on the basis of three criteria:
- Athletic Accomplishments: including achievements/impact made at the club, national or international levels of competition and standout performances in their respective sport. Including statistical production and impact, honors, historical context of accomplishments and skill-set evaluation. Including leadership ability and overall impact on team success.
- Academic Achievements: Review of GPA, class rank, and/or SAT/ACT scores as well as academic honors and distinctions.
- Personal Character: Overall sportsmanship as well as membership/participation in positive activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community.
Candidates' relative academic achievement and demonstrated commitment to exemplary personal character remain important voting criteria. The male and female athlete receiving the highest rating from this electorate are named Gatorade Athletes of the Year. They are presented their awards at a special afternoon ceremony just prior to The ESPY Awards in July in Los Angeles, California.
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