And the award goes to…Gerry Habershaw.

Habershaw, principal at Warwick Veterans Memorial High School, was named School Administrator of the Year this week by the Rhode Island Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (RIIAAA).

Habershaw beat out eight other administrators in the state to take home this year’s top prize.

“It is certainly well deserved,” said Mike Traficante, president-elect of the RIIAAA.

Each year the RIIAAA allows athletic directors and assistant athletic directors to nominate a candidate for the award.

A qualified nominee must be an administrator in a RIIAAA school district, who has demonstrated concern and support for high school athletics. The candidate should also be visible at athletic events and serve as an advocate for the importance of athletics in an educational setting.

“He is a great headstone for Warwick athletics,” said Traficante.

Kenneth Rix, the athletic director at Vets, nominated Habershaw for the award.

The nomination forms are posted on the RIIAAA Web site for the state’s athletic directors to see and decide whom to cast their vote for.

“I had a very good person promoting me,” said Habershaw.

Habershaw’s form stated that he instituted the first Academic Academy in the Warwick School Department. The Academy focuses on student athletes and a goal-oriented curriculum where they are trained in leadership. The academics differ in each class.

Habershaw also created a tradition at Vets by putting up tents to honor alumni who return to support Hurricane athletics.

There will be a banquet on April 8 at the Radisson Airport Hotel to honor Habershaw, along with other award recipients.

“Let’s just say he won handsomely,” said Traficante.

The RIIAAA began giving out the school administrator of the year award in 2000 and some of the past recipients include: Dan Kelley, principal at Smithfield High School (2009); Kevin McNamara, assistant principal at Lincoln High School (2008); and Daniel Warner, principal at Narragansett High School (2007).