The SportsEngine TrueSport COACH EXCELLENCE AWARD
Recognizing Coaches Who Make a Difference
Do you know a coach who inspires athletes and makes a positive impact on their community? Nominate them for the SportsEngine TrueSport Coach Excellence Award.
Every nominee has the chance to win one of three cash prizes and a virtual visit from Mandy Marquardt, Professional Track Cyclist for Team Novo Nordisk and the USA Cycling National Team
Due to the current increase in COVID cases in the US, the announcement of the 2020 Coach Excellence Award has been delayed until January 2021.
Meet Jose Burgos, 2019 Award Recipient
The first annual Coach Excellence Award was awarded to Jose Burgos, head soccer coach at Catalyst Maria High School in Chicago, Illinois, for his selfless dedication to youth soccer, his community, and all of his athletes.
2019 Award Runners Up
Fallon Buckner
St. Charles Parish Public Schools, Louisiana
“I choose to coach because it's my way of giving back to my community and the next generation of leaders. Sports are a playground for learning, not just skill but life's lessons.”
Kie McCray
Netball America, New Jersey
“I want my kids to grow up to be as respected as people as they are as athletes. I want my legacy to be that my players have their own, positive legacies.”
Words About Our 2019 Award Nominees
Nearly 300 coaches were nominated for our 2019 Coach Excellence Award representing 29 states and 25 different sports! These nominees exemplify values like fair play, respecting your teammates & competitors, and playing the game for its enjoyment, not just to win.
While there could only be one winner, we want to recognize what parents and athletes told us about their coaches.
Coach Meerstein was both my basketball and baseball coach and teacher in high school. As a teacher and coach, he truly showed that the development of the person was more important than the development of the athlete. He taught us to balance our time and to focus ourselves on our development in faith first, academics second, and athletics third. He was an avid spectator in my third sport of soccer showing that he truly cared about us as individuals. Coach's person-first philosophy was truly shown when he dealt with an athletic code suspension that I earned as a junior. My poor choice was a personal one, and he worked with me on being a better person and decision-maker without resenting me for my poor choices. When my suspension was up, he showed forgiveness and care to me by welcoming me back to the team as we continued as a team.
Nathan Hoffmann
N.E.W. Lutheran High School
Coach Rodas stresses the importance of schoolwork, getting to bed on time, eating well, and not letting video games affect the important aspects of life.
Danny Carvajal
Sugarland Soccer Club
Coach Wilkins encourages the boys to pursue excellence whether in the classroom, on the field, or in life itself.
Anthony Pires
Ajax United, Dublin United, and Modesto Futsal
Not only does Coach Ellwein evangelizes balance, respect, diligence, and health & nutrition, he stays current on the latest science around athlete well-being
Kenny Phillips
Jackson Hope Youth Soccer
Coach Marshall has implemented a five C's program: Culture, Camaraderie, Communication, Community Service, and Community Outreach. Each varsity captain is responsible for one 'C' and they work with the entire program to live its values.
Nilly Ads
Downers Grover High School
Coach Kie ties the rules of netball back to life skills. For example, in Netball, you have 3 seconds to make a pass, so in real life sometimes you have 3 seconds to make a decision - so how do you make a good decision vs a bad decision?
Sonya Ottaway
Netball America
Coach Mike teaches the young athletes dedication, respect, and builds strong work ethics while helping them build life-long swimming skills. The bar is high on his team, but he knows how to engage the youth in the most meaningful way and uses those same skills to encourage parents to help their child(ren) grow in the most productive manner.
Amanda Snyder
Door County YMCA
Videos
Showing Our Love and Appreciation
Our 2019 Award Finalists Were Honored by Family, Friends, and Athletes.
About the SportsEngine TrueSport Coach Excellence Award
Founded in 2019, the annual SportsEngine TrueSport Coach Excellence Award searches for the best of the best youth coaches and recognizes those who embody sportsmanship, build character, and teach valuable life skills.
Outside of parents, coaches are one of the most influential people in an athlete’s life. The dedication and commitment to their athletes are immeasurable, and the life lessons taught by coaches through sport transcend the athletic experience to shape a young person’s life.
We are now collecting nominations for youth sports coaches who have embodied the values promoted by TrueSport—sportsmanship, character building, life skills, clean and healthy performance—until November 9, 2020.
Coaches have the chance to win one of three cash prizes and an athlete ambassador visit.
