Initiated in 1966, the Charles Sesher Sportsmanship Award is presented annually to the player demonstrating the best sportsmanship through his actions towards teammates, coaches, opponents and officials throughout tournament play. The trophy is named in honor of Charles Sesher who was athletic director at Hutchinson for 26 years and in 1948 attended the first NJCAA Basketball Championship Tournament in Springfield, Missouri. After witnessing the event flounder, it was Sesher who persuaded and later convinced local officials and the leadership of American Legion Lysle Rishel Post #69 to submit a competitive bid to the NJCAA to move the tournament to Hutchinson.