April 28, 2005

Thank you.

I’ve read the list of previous winners and their bios and it’s quite an honor to be mentioned with so many coaches that I look up to and respect. Winning something like this has really made me appreciate the support I get from friends, family and loved ones. There are a lot of all-day track meets and late nights typing up calendars and updating websites.

Of course I couldn’t be a successful coach without the support that I get from the administrators and faculty at Sacred Heart Cathedral.

I think my assistant coaches do an amazing job, too, especially given the fact that we have over 100 kids on the team and no home track facility. I’m especially proud that my first high school coach, the man who got me started in this sport, has been an asst coach with me at SHC for the last 7 years.

But most of all, winning this award has made me think about the student athletes that I have coached over the years. Year after year they make me laugh and they make me cry. To me, coaching is all about the kids. My goal has always been to provide the best possible high school sports experience for the athletes. I want to make them passionate about track & field and about working hard.

Passion. I feel blessed that I have found work in life that I am so passionate about. Two times in my life I have been at a crossroads in terms of making career decisions and I am thankful that both times, I made the choice that has allowed me to keep coaching. Since it was announced that I was winning this award I have gotten lots of congratulations on the award. But to me, the reward is getting to go out there everyday and have athletes call me, “Coach”.