BALTIMORE, Md. -- Four members of the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association have earned recognition as regional recipients of the James "Ace" Adams Sportsmanship Award for the 2015 lacrosse season. Initiated in 2006, the U.S. Lacrosse Men's Collegiate Officials Committee presents this honor annually to the college or university in each of the 11 officiating districts whose coaches, players, and fans exhibit the best sportsmanship throughout the season.

Winona State (Minn.) University, Oklahoma University, University of Arizona and Pacific Luthern were the MCLA squads that took home the prestigious honor.

Both college varsity (NCAA) and non-varsity (MCLA) programs are eligible for consideration, with the winners selected by voting among each districts' officials who are members of the National Intercollegiate Lacrosse Officials Association (NILOA).

The award exemplifies the tradition of sportsmanship in lacrosse displayed by Ace Adams, who amassed 284 collegiate victories during a coaching career that spanned across five decades and included stints at the United States Military Academy (Army), University of Pennsylvania and University of Virginia. At the time of his retirement in 1992, Adams had the most wins of any active NCAA Division I coach. He was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1975.

The winners of the 2015 James "Ace" Adams Sportsmanship Awards are:

District 1 - Endicott College – Head Coach Eric Hagarty
District 2 – Colgate University - Head Coach Mike Murphy
District 3 – Wagner College – Head Coach Matt Poskay
District 4 – Lynchburg College – Head Coach Steve Koudelka
District 5 – Lincoln Memorial University – Head Coach Ryan Kuhn
District 6 – Albion College – Head Coach Jacob DeCola
District 7 – Winona State University – Head Coach Cory Childs
District 8 – Oklahoma University – Head Coach Brendan Klein
District 9 – Colorado State University-Pueblo – Head Coach Sean Blair
District 10 - University of Arizona – Head Coach Derek Pedrick
District 11 – Pacific Lutheran University – Head Coach Greg Gutherless

"The schools being honored with the Ace Adams Award have demonstrated the ability to treat all involved in the game with respect," said Tom Sutton, chair of the US Lacrosse men's game officials' subcommittee.

"Sportsmanship is achieved when participants treat others the way they themselves would be like to be treated, regardless of the level of competition. NILOA and US Lacrosse thank these institutions for their commitment to sportsmanship."

This year's winners will be recognized at the 2016 US Lacrosse National Convention at the Baltimore Convention Center, January 22-24.