SAN JOSE, Calif. — July 5, 2026
For six years, the GSF “OTY” (Of The Year) Sports Awards have celebrated the outstanding student-athletes, teams, coaches, and unforgettable moments that define high school athletics throughout the Greater Bay Area.
What began in 2021 as a football-only awards program has grown into one of GetSportsFocus’ signature annual traditions. During its first five years, the GSF staff selected the winners based on season-long performance, accomplishments, leadership, character, and overall impact on the game.
The 2026 GSF OTY Sports Awards mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
For the first time in the history of the awards, GetSportsFocus introduced People’s Choice voting, allowing the high school sports community to help determine the winners. While the GSF staff continued its role of evaluating each season and selecting the finalists in every category, the final decision was placed in the hands of the fans.
To ensure a fair voting process, each participant was allowed one vote per category, giving every supporter an equal opportunity to recognize the athletes, teams, coaches, and memorable moments they believed deserved to be honored.
The response exceeded every expectation.
A total of 12,978 votes were cast across all categories, making this the largest and most successful voting event in the history of the GSF OTY Sports Awards. The overwhelming participation reflected the passion of the Greater Bay Area high school sports community and reinforced the growing impact of GetSportsFocus as a platform dedicated to celebrating student-athletes and the people who make high school sports special.
The evolution of the GSF OTY Sports Awards extends far beyond fan voting.
When the awards debuted in 2021, they featured just 10 football categories. As GetSportsFocus expanded its year-round coverage, the awards evolved alongside it. This year, the program grew to 36 award categories, creating the most comprehensive recognition of high school athletics in GSF history.
The 2026 expansion welcomed several exciting additions.
For the first time, Girls Flag Football became part of the GSF OTY Sports Awards, recognizing one of California’s fastest-growing high school sports. The awards also expanded to honor Winter Sports, including Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, and Wrestling. Spring Sports were added as well, with Baseball, Softball, and Men’s and Women’s Track & Field now receiving the same recognition that football has enjoyed since the awards began.
The growth continued beyond traditional high school seasons with the addition of the GSF 7v7 Tournament Series Awards, recognizing the Team of the Year, Tournament Series MVP, and Coach of the Year. Over the past several years, the GSF 7v7 Tournament Series has developed into one of the premier offseason football events in Northern California, and its inclusion reflects GSF’s commitment to recognizing excellence throughout the calendar year.
Another milestone introduced in 2026 is one that celebrates those whose impact extends well beyond a single season.
This year marks the creation of the GSF Hall of Fame, a new tradition established to honor individuals whose contributions have helped shape high school athletics across the Greater Bay Area. The inaugural Hall of Fame classes will recognize football and soccer, the two sports in which GetSportsFocus currently hosts Senior All-Star Games. As the GSF platform continues to expand into additional sports, the Hall of Fame will grow alongside it, ensuring future generations of outstanding athletes, coaches, and contributors receive the recognition they deserve.
While the awards continue to evolve, the mission remains unchanged.
The GSF OTY Sports Awards were created to celebrate more than statistics, championships, and trophies. They recognize the dedication, perseverance, leadership, sportsmanship, and character displayed by student-athletes throughout the school year. Behind every finalist is a story of early morning workouts, late-night practices, supportive families, dedicated coaches, loyal teammates, and school communities that make high school athletics one of the most meaningful experiences in a young person’s life.
The continued growth of the awards is also a reflection of the growth of GetSportsFocus itself.
What started as a media outlet primarily covering football has developed into a year-round platform highlighting multiple sports while producing feature stories, livestream broadcasts, photography, rankings, player spotlights, Senior All-Star Games, the GSF 7v7 Tournament Series, and now the GSF Hall of Fame. Together, these initiatives share one common purpose: celebrating the student-athletes, coaches, schools, and communities that make the Greater Bay Area one of the nation’s premier regions for high school sports.
The GSF OTY Sports Awards have become an important part of that mission by recognizing excellence across every season of the school year while giving fans an opportunity to participate in honoring the athletes they admire.
This year’s expansion represents more than the addition of new categories. It reflects the continued evolution of GetSportsFocus and its commitment to building a lasting tradition for high school athletics throughout the Greater Bay Area.
On behalf of everyone at GetSportsFocus, thank you to every athlete, coach, parent, administrator, alumnus, and fan who participated in this historic first year of People’s Choice voting. Your enthusiasm helped transform the 2026 GSF OTY Sports Awards into the largest celebration in the history of the program.
Congratulations to every finalist and every winner. Being recognized among the very best student-athletes, teams, coaches, and moments of the 2025-26 school year is an achievement worthy of celebration.
The fans have spoken.
A new tradition has begun.
And together, we continue building a legacy that honors the past, celebrates the present, and inspires the future of high school athletics throughout the Greater Bay Area.