The M.D. Nadal Sportsmanship Award was established in 1969 to honor Manuel D. “Bill” Nadal, an outstanding athlete, coach and steadfast supporter of athletics at Kent School. A member of Kent’s Class of 1917, Nadal excelled in football, hockey and baseball, earning a total of 14 letters and serving as captain of the hockey and baseball teams.  After serving in WWI, Nadal returned to Kent and coached football, hockey, and baseball, for a remarkable 89 seasons as a head coach.  At different times during his long career at Kent, Nadal served as Assistant to the Headmaster and Director of Athletics. At the time of his death at Kent in 1977, he held the position of Director of Athletics Emeritus.

The Nadal Award was originally given to a member of the Erickson Football League, but eligibility was expanded to other sports after the establishment of the Founders League. It is awarded on an annual basis, as warranted, to a coach whose conduct exemplifies the proclamation "play by the rules, accept victory or defeat graciously, respect all who assemble and participate." It may be awarded in recognition of sportsmanship during a particular contest, throughout a season, or for continued contributions to athletics and the League.

The 2024 Nadal Award was presented to Scott Stevens in recognition of his 40 years of exemplary service to the Westminster community. Throughout his tenure, Stevens fostered relationships and shared his wisdom, humility, curiosity, humor, and kindness with countless students, families and colleagues as an English teacher, advisor, corridor supervisor, Director of Advancement and coach. As a coach, Stevens, who worked with Westminster's lacrosse and hockey teams for many years and was the driving force behind establishing Westminster's Girls' Golf team, always prioritized the experience of his athletes over the outcomes of contests. Always student-focused, Stevens' willingness to consistently go above and beyond in all areas of school life, while maintaining an easygoing, cheerful presence, made him a pillar in the Westminster community, whose legacy will be felt fo decades.