Awards Criteria

NDIAA Awards

The National Deaf Interscholastic Athletic Association (NDIAA) annually acknowledges exceptional achievements in both team and individual categories within Deaf schools. These accolades include various seasonal and annual awards, each with specific qualification criteria. National Champions, Coach of the Year, and Player of the Year distinctions are exclusively reserved for NDIAA member schools. In contrast, the All-American awards are accessible to students enrolled in grades 9-12 at any Deaf school, regardless of NDIAA membership. Notably, fifth-year high school students are ineligible for All-American recognition. Furthermore, teams composed of athletes from other Deaf schools or mainstreaming programs are ineligible for any NDIAA honors. This underscores NDIAA’s steadfast commitment to upholding fairness and integrity within the NDIAA Deaf school members’ athletic community.

National Champions

  • Regional/National Level Performance: The team should finish in the top three based on the regional/national level at a major Deaf tournament (e.g., Ace (Volleyball) Tournament, Clerc Classic, Eastern Schools for the Deaf Athletic Association (ESDAA), Fuller & Miller-Donatucci, Great Plains Schools for the Deaf (GPSD), Mason Dixon Conference for the Deaf (MD), National Deaf Cheer Competition (NDCC), National Deaf Cross Country Meet, Spike Out, Western States Basketball Classic (WSBC) and Willigan.)
  • Playoffs Appearance and Results: The team should have qualified for league, sectional, regional, or state playoffs, and the outcome of their participation should be considered.
  • Deaf School Competition: The team’s record against other Deaf schools must be above .500, indicating consistent success against Deaf opponents.


When evaluating multiple teams, it’s essential to consider the following preferred criteria, listed in no particular order:

  • Head-to-Head Results: Compare the outcomes of direct matchups between the teams being considered.
  • Final Win/Loss Record: At the conclusion of the season, evaluate each team’s overall win/loss record.
  • Post-Season Outcome: Consider the teams’ performance and results in league, sectional, regional, or state playoffs.
  • Tournament Performance: Assess each team’s total tournament win/loss record, considering the level of competition in the tournament.
  • Common Opponents: Examine how each team fared against common opponents to gain additional insights into their relative strengths.

Female/Male Athlete of the Year

To be eligible for consideration, the nominee must participate in at least two varsity seasons within the same school year.

Overall Performance: Evaluate the athlete’s performance across their chosen sport(s), considering factors such as statistics, rankings, records, and overall impact on their team or individual sport. 

    • Championships and Achievements: Recognize athletes who have won championships, achieved top rankings, set records, or received significant accolades in their respective sport(s).
    • Versatility: Consider athletes who excel in multiple sports or demonstrate exceptional skills across different events within their sport.
    • Sportsmanship and Character: Emphasize the athlete’s conduct on and off the field, highlighting qualities such as fair play, respect for opponents, adherence to rules, and positive representation of their sport.
    • Leadership and Team Contribution: Assess the athlete’s leadership qualities, teamwork, and impact on their team’s success, including their ability to motivate and inspire teammates.
    • Individual Accomplishments: Consider individual accolades, such as team/league/state and national award.

Female/Male Rookie of the Year

To be eligible for consideration, a true first-year freshman nominee must have participated in at least two varsity seasons within the same school year.

  • Skill and Performance: Evaluate the player’s technical abilities, tactical awareness, and overall performance in their respective sport. Consider factors such as statistics and impact on team success.
  • Leadership: Assess the player’s leadership qualities, including their ability to motivate and inspire teammates, demonstrate sportsmanship, and serve as a positive role model.
  • Sportsmanship and Character: Consider the player’s conduct on and off the field, emphasizing fair play, respect for opponents, adherence to rules, and overall character.
  • Contribution to Team Success: Evaluate the player’s impact on the team’s overall success, including their ability to elevate the performance of their teammates, make game-changing plays, or lead the team to championships or significant achievements.
  • Consistency and Performance in Big Moments: Recognize players who consistently perform at a high level throughout the season and demonstrate exceptional performance in crucial moments, such as important games or pressure situations.
  • Individual Accomplishments: Consider individual accolades, such as team/league/state and national award

Player/Runner/Wrestler of the Year

  • Skill and Performance: Evaluate the player’s technical abilities, tactical awareness, and overall performance in their respective sport. Consider factors such as statistics, scoring, assists, defense, and impact on team success.
  • Leadership: Assess the player’s leadership qualities, including their ability to motivate and inspire teammates, demonstrate sportsmanship, and serve as a positive role model.
  • Sportsmanship and Character: Consider the player’s conduct on and off the field, emphasizing fair play, respect for opponents, adherence to rules, and overall character.
  • Contribution to Team Success: Evaluate the player’s impact on the team’s overall success, including their ability to elevate the performance of their teammates, make game-changing plays, or lead the team to championships or significant achievements.
  • Consistency and Performance in Big Moments: Recognize players who consistently perform at a high level throughout the season and demonstrate exceptional performance in crucial moments, such as important games or pressure situations.
  • Individual Accomplishments: Consider individual accolades, such as MVP awards, records broken, top rankings, or selection to league teams or all-tournament teams.

Coach of the Year

  • Team Success: Evaluate the coach’s ability to lead the team to notable accomplishments, such as winning championships, achieving high rankings, or significant improvement in team performance compared to previous seasons.
  • Player Development: Assess the coach’s impact on player development, including individual player growth, skill enhancement, and overall team cohesion.
  • Sportsmanship and Ethics: Emphasize the coach’s commitment to promoting sportsmanship, fair play, and ethical conduct among their players and staff.
  • Leadership and Communication: Consider the coach’s ability to effectively lead and communicate with the team, fostering a positive and supportive environment.
  • Coaching Strategies and Innovation: Recognize coaches who demonstrate creative and effective coaching strategies, innovative game plans, and adaptability to changing circumstances.
  • Community Impact: Evaluate the coach’s involvement in the community, such as mentoring athletes, volunteering, or engaging in outreach programs that positively influence the lives of their players beyond the sport.
  • Professional Development and Recognition: Consider coaches who actively seek professional development opportunities, participate in coaching associations, and receive recognition from peers, administrators, or governing bodies.

All-American

  • Athletic Performance: Set specific benchmarks for individual sports, such as achieving top rankings, breaking records, or earning significant awards or honors at the league, regional, state, or national levels.
  • Leadership and Sportsmanship: Consider qualities like demonstrating exceptional leadership skills, exhibiting exemplary sportsmanship, and being a positive role model on and off the court/field.
  • Team Contribution: Recognize athletes who make significant contributions to their team’s success, such as being team captains, leading in team statistics, or pivoting in important victories.
  • Character and Integrity: Emphasize personal integrity, ethical conduct, and adherence to the rules and regulations of the sport.

Please note that the size of the All-American teams may vary slightly from year to year based on the number of nominations received.

  • Cheerleaders: 6 players for the First and Second teams and up to 12 for the Honorable Mention team
  • Cross Country: top 25% of total # of nominations are considered as All-American team
  • Basketball: 5 players for the First and Second teams and up to 10 for the Honorable Mention team
  • Baseball: 9 players for First and Honorable Mention teams
  • Football: 6/8 players for the First and Second teams and up to 6/8 players for the Honorable Mention team
  • Soccer: 8/11 players for the First team and Second teams and up to 8/11 for the Honorable Mention team
  • Softball: 9 players for First and Honorable Mention teams
  • Volleyball: 6 players for the First and Second teams and up to 12 for the Honorable Mention team
  • Wrestling: 14 for the First team and up to 14 for the Honorable Mention team

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