Since 1985, the Gatorade Player of the Year award has recognized the nation’s most elite high school student-athletes for their accomplishments on and off the field. Gatorade awards each winner with a $1,000 grant to be donated to a local or national youth sports organization of the athlete's choice.
In each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, one Gatorade State Player of the Year is awarded in 12 sports. From this pool of state winners, 12 Gatorade National Players of the Year are then selected.
Football
Boys & Girls
Cross Country
Volleyball
Boys & Girls
Basketball
Boys & Girls
Soccer
Softball
Baseball
Boys & Girls
Track & Field
The Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee is an elite group of high school sports evaluators who have extensive experience assessing student-athletes. The committee carefully analyzes all candidates by weighing the three pillars of the program: athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character.
The Gatorade Player of the Year holds athletes to the highest standard by recognizing the nation’s most outstanding high school student-athletes for accomplishments on the field of play and beyond. Awards are based on the following criteria.
Standout performance in a respective sport made at the high school, club, national, or international levels of competition.
Review of GPA and class rank, as well as SAT and ACT scores, and academic honors distinctions.
Commitment to sportsmanship, character, and community through membership and participation in positive activities.
From the 610 state winners, one athlete is chosen as Gatorade National Player of the Year in each of the 12 sports.
From the pool of 610 elite Gatorade State Players of the Year, one student-athlete is awarded the prestigious title of Gatorade National Player of the Year in each of the 12 sports. These 12 national winners represent the nation’s very best high school student-athletes.
