The South Dakota High School Activities Association announced Wednesday its recipients of Distinguished Service Awards for the 2009-2010 school year.

The awards, the highest bestowed by the SDHSAA, were established in 1976, with the first awards being presented at 1977 state events to honor individuals who have made significant long term contributions to the high school athletic and fine arts activities programs.

Distinguished Service Awards recipients are individuals whose contributions have had an impact on prep activity programs. The Distinguished Service Award is presented to honor administrators - principals, superintendents and athletic/activity directors); Board of Education members; athletic and fine arts activities coaches & directors; contest officials for fine arts and athletic activities; and contributors to statewide high school activities.

The recipients of this award have given outstanding service to the youth of the state through the high school athletic and fine arts activities programs.

The recipients will be presented their awards at one of the SDHSAA state athletic and fine arts events throughout the 2009-10 school year.

2009-2010 SDHSAA Distinguished Service Award recipients

Administrators-Larry Ball, Murdo, former member of the South Dakota High School Activities Association Board of Directors and chief executive at Jones County; Linda Hunter, Kyle, Superintendent of Schools at Little Wound

Coaches and directors-Bill Evans, Rapid City Stevens High School, orchestra director, State All-State Orchestra chair & All-State Orchestra site host; Dave Michaud, Pine Ridge High School, wrestling coach; Mike Olson, Bennett County High School, former wrestling coach & advisory committee member; Mark Upward, Vermillion High School, gymnastics coach & advisory committee member.

Contest officials-Loy Gravholt , Yankton, oral interpretation (also former oral interpretation coach); Paul Schreiner, Pierre, football & wrestling; Ellen Steever, Lennox, gymnastics, competitive dance & Sports Officials Advisory Council awards.

Contributors-Bryan Brewer, Pine Ridge, former member of the SDHSAA Board of Directors & Lakota Nation Invitational organizer; John Brown, Pierre, former attorney for the SDHSAA; Mike Henriksen, Dell Rapids, sports radio and broadcaster of SDHSAA championships; Roger Kasa, Huron, former Huron Plainsman editor, remains active covering sports and fine arts events; Cindy Knudsen, Vermillion, former State Football Play-offs ticket manager; Roger Kozak, Vermillion, State football play-offs volunteer worker from the beginning to the present; Craig Mattick, Sioux Falls, sports radio and broadcaster of SDHSAA championships.