To recognize athletic excellence in the local community, the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table (SBART) gives out a number of awards. Among these is the Phil Womble Ethics in Sports Award, which honors student athletes who have demonstrated a strong commitment to sportsmanship and an understanding of ethics. By giving this award to student athletes in Santa Barbara, SBART aims to promote positive conduct both on and off the field and to encourage athletes to work on their character and attitude as much as their athletic prowess.
The coaching staff and athletic directors at each high school choose award recipients from among students in their junior year. Some of the criteria for receiving the award include having respect for teammates and opponents alike, demonstrating an honest and optimistic attitude, placing others before themselves, and putting the well-being of the team in front of personal interests.
Phil Womble, the award’s namesake, is a local author and sports historian who struggles with cerebral palsy. Despite this major challenge, he has used sports as a means of creating fellowship within the community.
