California Interscholastic Federation Spirit of Sport Award
Scholarship Sponsored by California Interscholastic Federation
Introduction
The CIF Spirit of Sport Award honors one male and one female senior athlete from across the state for each traditional sports season (Fall, Winter, Spring). Recipients are chosen for outstanding sportsmanship, leadership, and service to their school and community — qualities such as integrity, fairness, respect, and character are central to the award.
Who is eligible
- Residence: California
- Grade level: High school senior
- Each CIF member school may nominate up to one male and one female senior athlete per season.
Winter season — eligible sports
Basketball
Cheerleading
Skiing & Snowboarding
Soccer
Girls Water Polo (Southern California)
Wrestling
Application requirements and process
Students must complete the online application in Kaleidoscope. You may save an incomplete application and return later by signing back into your Kaleidoscope account. The application package must include:
- Parent/guardian contact information
- School information
- A student essay (maximum 350 words)
- Principal information and a signed principal verification form (uploaded)
- A complete list of activities, organized into:
1) Athletics
2) Non-athletic activities and extracurriculars
3) Leadership positions
4) Community service
If you experience technical problems with the application or your Kaleidoscope account, contact help@mykaleidoscope.com.
Selection, awards, and obligations
Applications are reviewed by CIF-appointed committees and winners are selected based on demonstrated sportsmanship, leadership, and service. State-level winners will be contacted by phone and/or email.
Award distribution:
- State winners: Two statewide winners per season (one male, one female) — six state winners total — will each receive a patch, an award, and a $2,500 scholarship. State honorees must attend the CIF State Federated Council event on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Oakland Marriott City Center.
- Section winners: For each season, one male and one female student-athlete from each of the 10 CIF Sections (60 recipients total across the three seasons) will each receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Questions
For program questions, email cshannon@cifstate.org. For technical assistance with Kaleidoscope, email help@mykaleidoscope.com.