Initiated in 1966, the Charles Sesher Sportsmanship Award is presented annually to the player demonstrating the best sportsmanship through his actions towards teammates, coaches, opponents and officials throughout tournament play. The trophy is named in honor of Charles Sesher who was athletic director at Hutchinson for 26 years and in 1948 attended the first NJCAA Basketball Championship Tournament in Springfield, Missouri. After witnessing the event flounder, it was Sesher who persuaded and later convinced local officials and the leadership of American Legion Lysle Rishel Post #69 to submit a competitive bid to the NJCAA to move the tournament to Hutchinson.
| CHARLES SESHER SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD | 2020-present | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Triton (IL) | 2024 | ||
| Indian Hills Community College (IA) | 2023 | ||
| South Plains College (TX) | 2022 | ||
| Keisei Tominaga, Ranger (TX) | 2021 | ||
| No tournament held due to COVID-19 | 2020 | ||
*Beginning in 2022, the Charles Sesher Sportsmanship Award is presented for a team, rather than an individual student-athlete.
| CHARLES SESHER SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD | 2010-2019 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Marvin Johnson | Coffeyville (KS) | 2019 | |
| William Washington | South Plains (TX) | 2018 | |
| Josh Webster | South Plains (TX) | 2017 | |
| Tad Dufelmeier | Salt Lake (UT) | 2016 | |
| Jererrio Jones | Hill (TX) | 2015 | |
| IBN Mohammad | Harcum (PA) | 2014 | |
| Travis Black | Spartanburg Methodist (SC) | 2013 | |
| Brandon Harris | Otero (CO) | 2012 | |
| T.J. Stevens | Coffeyville (KS) | 2011 | |
| Nick Niemczyk | Three Rivers (MO) | 2010 | |
| CHARLES SESHER SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD | 2000-09 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Brad Kelleher | Midland (TX) | 2009 | |
| Nikola Kecman | Eastern Arizona | 2008 | |
| Mike Dominguez | Northeastern (CO) | 2007 | |
| Jacquiese Holcombe | Georgia Perimeter | 2006 | |
| Alexander Starr | Paris (TX) | 2005 | |
| Brandon Polk | Redlands (OK) | 2004 | |
| Kevin Bell | Monroe College (NY) | 2003 | |
| Tomme Eddie | Coffeyville (KS) | 2002 | |
| Ebi Ere | Barton (KS) | 2001 | |
| Jeremiah Brooks | Shelby State (TN) | 2000 | |
| CHARLES SESHER SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD | 1990-99 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Raymond Johnson | Kennedy-King (IL) | 1999 | |
| Kevin Houston | Seward County | 1998 | |
| Chris Harrison | North Idaho | 1997 | |
| Brennan Ray | Mesa (AZ) | 1996 | |
| Danny Strong | Spartanburg Methodist (SC) | 1995 | |
| Lucas Wagler | Hutchinson (KS) | 1994 | |
| Ervin Garnes | Butler (KS) | 1993 | |
| Mark Logsdon | Wabash Valley (IL) | 1992 | |
| Leonard White | Faulkner State (AL) | 1991 | |
| Willie Ladson | Champlain (VT) | 1990 | |
| CHARLES SESHER SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD | 1980-89 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Clay Johnson | NE Mississippi | 1989 | |
| Rufus Freeman | Mattatuck (CT) | 1988 | |
| Paxton Cobb | Mattatuck (CT) | 1987 | |
| Joey Johnson | Southern Idaho | 1986 | |
| Robert Maxwell | Dixie State (UT) | 1985 | |
| Larry Banks | Western Texas | 1984 | |
| Vic Couch | Clinton (IA) | 1983 | |
| Brent Wade | Dixie State (UT) | 1982 | |
| Chris Jones | Lincoln (IL) | 1981 | |
| Phil Spradling | Western Texas | 1980 | |
| CHARLES SESHER SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD | 1970-79 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Brian Chico Horton | Brevard (FL) | 1979 | |
| Michael Lyles | Niagra County (NY) | 1978 | |
| Mark Graebe | SUNY Farmingdale (NY) | 1977 | |
| Chuck White | Lakeland (IL) | 1976 | |
| Marcello Singleton | Mohawk Valley (NY) | 1975 | |
| John Gordon | Moberly Area (MO) | 1974 | |
| Roger Morningstar | Olney (IL) | 1973 | |
| Ken Morgan Clark | Casper (WY) | 1972 | |
| Jim Dashield | Pittsburgh (PA) | 1971 | |
| Larry Brown | NE Oklahoma A&M | 1970 | |
| CHARLES SESHER SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD | 1966-69 | |||
| PLAYER | COLLEGE | YEAR | |
| Perry Johnson | 1969 | ||
| Brandon Austin | Northwest Florida State | 1968 | |
| Leroy Fludd | Jones County (MS) | 1967 | |
| Eugene McCrory | Central Florida | 1966 | |