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 CROSSCOUNTRY
BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL
BOYS & GIRLS SOCCER
SOFTBALL & BASEBALL
BOYS & GIRLS TRACK&FIELD
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.
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