A HISTORY
OF HONORING 
THE FUTURE


The Gatorade Player of the Year award was established in 1985 to recognize the nation’s most elite high school student-athletes for their athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character.

In each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, one GATORADE STATE HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE YEAR is chosen in each of the following sports:

FOOTBALL
VOLLEYBALL
BOYS & GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL
BOYS & GIRLS SOCCER
SOFTBALL & BASEBALL
BOYS & GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

SELECTION PROCESS


WHY OUR ATHLETES
MAKE HISTORY

The Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee administers the selection process for Gatorade State and National Player of the Year awards. All final selections result from a collaborative effort and are made by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee.

GATORADE STATE

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ONE WINNER FROM EACH OF THE TWELVE SPORTS IS CHOSEN FROM EACH STATE AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.


The Gatorade State Player of the Year award winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria:

Athletic Excellence - Standout performance in their respective sport made at the high school, club, national or international levels of competition.

Academic Achievement - Review of GPA and class rank, as well as SAT and ACT scores, and academic honors distinctions.

Exemplary Character - Commitment to sportsmanship, character and community through membership and participation in positive activities.


For program FAQs, please click here.

GATORADE NATIONAL

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

ONE ATHLETE IN EACH OF THE TWELVE SPORTS IS CHOSEN OUT OF THE STATE WINNERS


After Gatorade State Player of the Year awards are announced, a Gatorade National Player of the Year is selected. Each sport’s pool of male and female state winners is evaluated further on the program’s three pillars – athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character. The twelve national winners selected represent the nation’s best all-around high school student-athletes.

KEY DATES


SPORT

NOMINATION DEADLINE

STATE ANNOUNCEMENT

FOOTBALL

11-13-2023

01-03-2024

VOLLEYBALL

12-15-2023

01-08-2024

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

12-29-2023

01-22-2024

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

12-29-2023

01-26-2024

GIRLS BASKETBALL

02-23-2024

03-14-2024

BOYS BASKETBALL

02-23-2024

03-21-2024

BASEBALL

05-06-2024

06-03-2024

SOFTBALL

05-06-2024

06-07-2024

BOYS SOCCER

05-20-2024

06-14-2024

GIRLS SOCCER

05-20-2024

06-21-2024

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

06-07-2024

06-26-2024

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

06-07-2024

06-27-2024