Coaches of Inspiration Awards

"Coaches of Inspiration Awards Night"

Concept…to award amateur youth sport coaches for their inspirational coaching. Thus promoting positive role models by example and allow the kids they coach to spotlight coaches that made a difference in their life.

Nominated by their youth athletes. Top three spotlighted and one coach honored in each sport. “What made them inspirational?”

Sports Represented:

• Ice cream/Dessert Social in the evening where the kids from that team that nominated their coach could come and be apart of the awards presentation...bringing their parents too...affordable tickets.
• Video tribute and stories of kids about their coaches as well as local sports people, coaches, teachers and community leaders about a coach that made a difference in their life.
• We are actively seeking Sponsors to cover media, printing, video and awards costs.
• Any proceeds will benefit the Sports Council’s Scholarship Fund.
• Awards Night during January 2010.

Submit your nominations NOW for the 2009 Coaches Of Inspiration.
>> Nomination Form Here

Coach of Inspiration 2009 Award Listing

January 14th - Coaches of Inspiration!It's that time again to honor the coach in your life who has made an impact. We need to know who inspires you and who you feel needs to be recognized. The event will be held at the convention center on the 14th at 6:00pm. We will pass out awards and share ice cream/ dessert with our coaches as they are honored! Join us! Tickets are available at Pak-it-Rite, and Arlberg in Wenatchee, and Eastmont Pharmacy in East Wenatchee. See you all there!

2008 Coaches of Inspiration Re-Cap

Dr. Ed Farrar brought a unique perspective to the 4th Annual Coaches of Inspiration Awards in January. The Wenatchee orthopedic surgeon was nearly killed in a bicycle/car crash last October and is paralyzed from the chest-down. He told the gathering of nearly 200 at the Wenatchee Convention Center, "statistically, I'm a dead man."

His gripping account of his accident, battle for survival and return homewas the highlight of a night set aside to honor coaches throughout North Central Washington. 30 coaches were recognized for their efforts by players who nominated them. Dr. Farrar related his ordeal and the teamwork it took to keep him alive to the lessons learned in the realm of sports. Dr. Farrar also used the pulpit to share the word of health. He said, "had I not been in good physical shape, I would have died...Lord forbid something like this should happen to you, but if it does, the one thing that gives you any chance for survival is your physical health."

Dr. Farrar's wife, Cindy, was given a Wenatchee Wild jersey complete with her name embroidered on the back and #1. Emcee Eric Granstrom said she "was equally a hero for being so strong at Ed's side, holding her head up with grace and poise."

Four coaches were singled outwith Exceptional Coaching Awards while another 26 were given Coaches of Inspiration Awards.

Exceptional Coaching Award Winners
Louise Kapeikis - Figure Skating
Steve Mongeon - Basketball
TJ Owen - Cross Country Skiing
Corey Van Lith - Baseball

Coaches of Inspiration Award Winners
Renee Baum - Soccer
Deanna Bollinger - Soccer
Kelly Boyd - Softball
Jeff Carlson - Baseball
Larry Cordes - Softball
Brent Darnell - Basketball
Mike Franza - Basketball
Todd Gilbert - Softball
John Graf - Wrestling
Mike Grimm - Soccer
Paul Kapeikis - Figure Skating
Elise Kriskovic - Figure Skating
Donnie Lane - Soccer
Bill Leiber - Soccer
Craig Lukens - Soccer
Marni McMahon - Volleyball
Heidi Monroe - Basketball
Ken Murtagh - Football
Eric Slife - Soccer
Erik Sundet - Soccer
Jeff Tyree - Baseball
Jim Van Assche - Soccer
Don Whipple - Football
Aaron Young - Hockey
Enrique Zaldivar - Soccer

DVD's of the event, including Dr. Farrar's speech are available for $20 at M&M Productions, you can call 665-3850 or email Malcolm today.

If you have pictures of this year's Coaches of Inspiration that you'd like to share, email them to sports@wenatcheevalley.org.

25 N. Wenatchee Ave. Suite C-111
Wenatchee, WA 98801
509 663-3723 or linda@wenatcheevalley.org