Impact
Records
Mel Roberts
Tooele High School
Impact Statement
“We teach kids more than just how to swim fast, we teach them about life.” -Mel Roberts
Biography
In 2010 Roberts completed his 41st season as coach of Tooele’s boys’ and girls’ swimming teams. A high school All-American and championship swimmer at the University of Utah, Roberts has led Tooele to 31 regional championships and 11 state titles. Nine of those have been won by the boys’ team, most recently the 4A title in 2002.
This year’s team finished sixth. His girls’ teams won state crowns in 1999 and 2001. Through the 2008-09 season, his boys’ teams had a record of 452-87 and his girls’ teams had a record of 328-74.
Roberts is a member of the Tooele High School Wall of Fame as an athlete and coach, and has been named Coach of the Year 12 times by the Utah Swimming Coaches Association, which he also served 10 years as president, and currently as secretary-treasurer. The National Federation of State High School Associations named him Boys’ Swimming Coach of the Year in 2005. The National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) presented Roberts with its Outstanding Service Award in 1991 and inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2009.
Since being honored, Roberts was honored again in 2017 as he retired at the end of this season after 48 years. As the head of the Tooele swimming program, Roberts makes NHSCA history by becoming the first coach to be honored as both a boys’ and girls’ Coach of the Year.
Roberts, who led both programs to 549 overall victories, was named the NHSCA Boys’ Swimming Coach of the Year in 2010. Roberts’ 549 wins are 200 more than any other swim coach in Utah. In addition to the victories, Roberts’ teams won 11 state titles. Roberts, who is a Toole Alumni, was a great swimmer himself. He won four state titles when he was competing in high school.
Roberts is the first coach from Utah to win the NHSCA Girls’ Swimming Coach of the Year.
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St. Paul's Episcopal School
“He is a great teacher, a great human being, and he made a difference in so many kids’ lives through the sport he loves.” -Steve Savarese, AHSAA
“He is a great teacher, a great human being, and he made a difference in so many kids’ lives through the sport he loves.” -Steve Savarese, AHSAA
Jim Tate
St. Paul's Episcopal School
Impact Statement
“He is a great teacher, a great human being, and he made a difference in so many kids’ lives through the sport he loves.” -Steve Savarese, AHSAA
Biography
A Mobile native, Tate came to St. Paul’s in 1978. He has been the boys’ and girls’ cross country coach and the boys’ and girls’ track and field coach ever since. He has built a resume that would warrant his selection as National Coach of the Year in any of the four sports.
Tate’s teams have won an incredible 56 state team titles – 17 each in girls’ cross country and track and field, 13 in boys’ track and field and nine in boys cross country.
In the 1980s and 1990s, it was his girls’ cross country teams that were setting the standard, setting a national high school record with 16 straight state titles from 1983 through 1998. All four programs have built title streaks lasting at least three seasons.
Tate’s cross country teams have won both the boys’ and girls’ state meets five times, and this year his track and field teams won both state meets for the 10th time. In the 1984-85, 1991-92 and 1994-95 school years his teams went a perfect 4-for-4, sweeping both the cross country and track and field state meets in those seasons.
Tate was named Girls’ Cross Country Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations in 1999, and he was inducted into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. St. Paul’s also honored Tate by naming their track complex in his honor.
Since being honored in 2010 Tate has continued to lead St. Paul’s to state- wide dominance. His teams continued to excel under his direction.
In February of 2017 his team won his 100th State Title in Track and Field and Cross Country.
After 52 years of coaching, 42 of which was at St. Paul’s, Tate announced he would be retiring after the 2019-2020 school year. He retires with 102 State Championships in Boys’ and Girls’ Track & Field and Cross Country. His teams have also finished second 53 times.
As AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese said: “He is what every coach should desire to become. He has led by example. He is a great teacher, a great human being, and he made a difference in so many kids’ lives through the sport he loves. He is truly a shining star in the education profession.”
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Catholic High School
“I never looked at myself as anything special or spectacular. I’m just someone that enjoys coaching day in and day out.” -Pete Bourdeaux
“I never looked at myself as anything special or spectacular. I’m just someone that enjoys coaching day in and day out.” -Pete Bourdeaux
Pete Boudreaux
Catholic High School
Impact Statement
“I never looked at myself as anything special or spectacular. I’m just someone that enjoys coaching day in and day out.” -Pete Bourdeaux
Biography
Also the school’s athletic director, Boudreaux has become an institution in Louisiana boys’ track and field and cross country since taking the reins at Catholic in 1967. His teams have won a state-best 33 state titles – 11 in outdoor track, seven in indoor track and 15 in cross country.
This year Boudreaux’s cross country and outdoor track and field teams both set state scoring records and his teams have swept all three state meets the past two years. The track and field team’s record performance this spring included seven event victories, a state record and a pair of 1-2 finishes. His track and field teams were undefeated in regular-season competition for 11 straight years and his athletes have set 12 state records and own three Catholic high school national records.
The Louisiana Track and Field Coaches Association named Boudreaux Coach of the Year in 2002, 2008 and 2009, and presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. His cross country teams have won titles in each of the past four decades and is one of just two Louisiana teams to record a perfect state tournament score.
Since being honored in 2010, Boudreaux continued to coach Catholic to success. Boudreaux’s teams have won a staggering 49 State Titles over the duration of his career thus far. That would be 18 Titles for his Cross Country teams, 14 Titles for his Indoor Track teams and 17 Titles for his Outdoor Track teams. He has also coached 13 Individual State Champions in Cross Country. His Track student athletes have excelled individually as well. He’s coached 136 student athletes that have won 176 events at the Championships.
In 2017 Catholic High honored Boudreaux by naming the newly restored Track the “Pete Boudreaux Track”. At the end of 2019, he stepped down from coaching and was honored
In April of 2019 Boudreaux announced retirement leaving a legacy in Track and Field both in Louisiana and across the nation. He will still remain as the Cross Country coach, which he was honored as the NHSCA Coach of the Year in 2021.
Boudreaux received the Tom Nolan Distinguished Coach Award in 2020. This award, according to the LTFCA’s website, is an honor bestowed to a coach who’s made a difference in the the lives of his student athletes.
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Brookfield Central High School
“Quantity plus Quality equals Success”
-Dave Steinbach’s motto
“Quantity plus Quality equals Success”
-Dave Steinbach’s motto
Dave Steinbach
Brookfield Central High School
Impact Statement
“Quantity plus Quality equals Success”
-Dave Steinbach’s motto
Biography
Steinbach has coached Brookfield Central’s boys’ and girls’ tennis teams for 28 seasons and his teams have combined for 13 Division 1 state team titles and 13 runner-up finishes. Nine of those titles belong to the girls’ team, which took state gold five straight years from 1983-87 and also won three titles this decade, in 2002, 2003 and 2006. He has coached two boys’ doubles teams and two girls’ doubles teams to state titles.
The chairman of the United States Tennis Association’s No-Cut Program, his girls’ tennis teams boast 120 players and his boys’ teams 95 players. Now retired from teaching at Brookfield Central, Steinbach is on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
A past president of the Wisconsin High School Coaches Association (WHSCA), Steinbach has earned many national coaching honors, including Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations in 2003; High School Tennis Coach of the Year by Racquet Sports Industry magazine in 2006; and Coach of the Year by the United States Professional Tennis Association in 1998 and 2007. The WHSCA named Steinbach Division 1 Boys Coach of the Year in 2000 and Girls Coach of the Year in 2002, 2003 and 2007.
Since being honored, Steinbach has continued to lead Brookfield Central. Steinbach has coached 13 State Championships teams and 13 teams to State Runner Up finishes. His teams have qualified for the state tournament 39 times over the course of his career. He has also notched over 1,000 victories.
Steinbach has had a ‘no cut’ team policy throughout his career. He has coached over 6,000 student athletes according to Brookfield Central. On October 6, 2018, Brookfield Central honored Coach Steinbach with the dedication of the Dave Steinbach Tennis Center .
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William Hall High School
Connecicut’s winningest tennis coach, James Solomon has led William Hall High School to four state championships over his 45 year career.
Connecicut’s winningest tennis coach, James Solomon has led William Hall High School to four state championships over his 45 year career.
James Solomon
William Hall High School
Impact Statement
Connecicut’s winningest tennis coach, James Solomon has led William Hall High School to four state championships over his 45 year career.
Biography
The second Boys Tennis Coach of the Year from the Nutmeg State in as many years, Solomon has guided the Warriors to a record of 445-61 and four state team titles as he completes his 36th season.
In 1979 Solomon led Hall to the title in the state’s largest division, Class LL, and followed that with the all-class State Open championship. The Warriors have since gone on to win Class L state titles in 1992, 1993 and 2007, and also own 13 state runner-up finishes, including the past two seasons. Under Solomon the Warriors have won 18 Central Connecticut Conference Western Division titles, including the last five in a row. Solomon coached the individual state singles champions in 2006 and 2007, and his players also swept the New England Championships singles and doubles titles in 2006 and added the singles title in 2007.
The state’s Coach of the Year in 1985, Solomon was inducted into the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003. A two-time National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) Regional Coach of the Year, Solomon was named National Coach of the Year by the NHSACA in 2000.
Since being honored, Solomon continues to lead William Hall. He has coached his teams to four state tiles over the past 45 years. In addition, he’s coached six individual Singles State Champs and two Doubles State Champs.
On April 24, 2019, Hall’s 7-0 win over Simsbury gave him the boost to become Connecticut’s most winningest coach. He boasts a career record of 575-94 record after the season.
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Pittsford Central High School
“There is not a coach that I am aware of who has dedicated more of his time and energy for the betterment of his athletes.” -Scott Barker, AD said of Marty Keating
“There is not a coach that I am aware of who has dedicated more of his time and energy for the betterment of his athletes.” -Scott Barker, AD said of Marty Keating
Maurice “Marty” Keating
Pittsford Central High School
Impact Statement
“There is not a coach that I am aware of who has dedicated more of his time and energy for the betterment of his athletes.” -Scott Barker, AD said of Marty Keating
Biography
With 339 victories, Keating is the state’s all-time leading winner among girls swimming coaches. He began his coaching career at Aquinas Institute in Rochester, leading the boys’ team to a 46-2 record in four seasons before moving to Pittsford. Keating started the girls’ team in 1974 and remains its coach.
His girls’ teams have won 15 sectional titles, including six straight from 2002-07, and five state crowns. He also coached the boys’ team for 18 seasons, from 1974-91, returning to boys coaching in 2007 at Livonia High School. His Pittsford boys’ teams won two Class A sectional titles and the Class B state title in 1979.
Keating, who has served as president of the New York State Swim Coaches Association since 1972, received the New York State Coaches Association’s Honor Award in 1995, Niagara District Coach of the Year honors in 1987 and 1999, the Galyan’s High School Coach of the Year award from the Rochester Press-Radio Club in 2002, the WHAM Jack Palvino Award for contributions to women’s sports in 2004 and the All-Greater Rochester Girls Swimming Coach of the Year in 2007. Keating was inducted into the Frontier Fields Walk of Fame in 2003, was a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s National Coach of the Year award in 2005 and received the NISCA Outstanding Service Award in 2009.
Since being honored, Keating and his Pittsford swim teams have continued their victorious ways. His teams have now won 11 State Championships and he’s coached over 100 High School All Americans. He ranks second overall in the history of New York Swimming with 348 wins, as his teams have not lost in nearly 10 years.
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Bishop Kelley High school
Tokarchik continues to lead Bishop Kelley to success, as his teams continue to thrive under his direction.
Tokarchik continues to lead Bishop Kelley to success, as his teams continue to thrive under his direction.
Troy Tokarchik
Bishop Kelley High school
Impact Statement
Tokarchik continues to lead Bishop Kelley to success, as his teams continue to thrive under his direction.
Biography
A graduate of Bishop Kelley, who received his bachelors and master’s degrees from the University of Tulsa, Tokarchik has two passions: teaching math and coaching girls soccer, which he has done for the past 11 seasons.
The latter has been obvious, as he led the Lady Comets to state titles in each of his first nine seasons. Those stretched the school’s overall winning streak to 10, a state record in soccer. The first six titles, from 2000 through 2005, were in 4A.
When soccer expanded to six classes the next year Bishop Kelley moved up to 5A, where Tokarchik’s teams added three more titles, in 2006, 2007 and 2008. His teams own an overall record of 172-8, a .956 winning percentage, and built a 50-match winning streak that spanned three seasons, from 2006 to 2009. The state title streak ended in 2009 with a loss in the state semifinals, but Tokarchik’s team started a new streak this year, posting a 17-1 record in the process.
The state’s Coach of the Year in 2003, Tokarchik twice was selected Region Private/Parochial Coach of the Year by the NSCAA and was the organization’s National Coach of the Year in 2005.
Since being honored in 2010, Tokarchik continues to lead the girls of Bishop Kelley. In 2016 the girls’ finished second in the state to Claremore when they lost in overtime. In 2017 they came back with a vengeance and turned the tables. The Comets knocked off Claremore 3-1 to win the state title.
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Apple Valley High School
“My goal all along has been to make a difference in kids’ lives and help them reach their potential.”
-Chuck Scanlon
“My goal all along has been to make a difference in kids’ lives and help them reach their potential.”
-Chuck Scanlon
Chuck Scanlon
Apple Valley High School
Impact Statement
“My goal all along has been to make a difference in kids’ lives and help them reach their potential.”
-Chuck Scanlon
Biography
Through this school year, Scanlon, a 34-year coaching veteran, was the only coach in the history of two Apple Valley sports teams: boys’ tennis and girls’ ice hockey. He also coaches the school’s freshman baseball team.
He has coached the Eagles boys’ soccer teams to a record of 518-87-49, and last September he became the state’s all-time winningest coach. Last fall Apple Valley finished 24-0 and won its eighth state championship, also tops among Minnesota boys’ and girls’ soccer teams. Scanlon previously coached Apple Valley to titles in 1984, 1988, 1989, 1992 in the single-class era and AA titles in 1997, 1998 and 2006, and his teams have made 16 state tournament appearances.
His team was ranked No. 5 nationally by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and No. 8 by ESPN/Rise. He was named National Coach of the Year by both organizations.
After 14 seasons as an assistant coach with the Apple Valley boys’ hockey team, Scanlon assumed the reins of the girls’ team when the Minnesota State High School League first sanctioned the sport in 1994. They won state titles in 1995 and 1998 and finished third in 2003 before retiring as the team’s coach at the conclusion of this season.
Since being honored, Scanlon continued to coach Apple Valley’s boys’ soccer team until his retirement in 2014 after 40 years. He is the winningest coach in soccer in the state with nearly 600 career victories. Scanlon is 11-0 in state championship finals appearances.
Scanlon was a firm believe in his student-athletes. He’s said “we’ve always had the triple-A philosophy; academics always comes first.”
A true jack of all trades, Scanlon has coached soccer, hockey, football, golf and baseball at some time during his career. In addition, through his tenure he taught social studies and safety education.
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Hazen High School
Berglund coached Hazen’s Girls’ Golf teams to seven State Championships and nine Runner Up finishes.
Berglund coached Hazen’s Girls’ Golf teams to seven State Championships and nine Runner Up finishes.
Kathy Berglund
Hazen High School
Impact Statement
Berglund coached Hazen’s Girls’ Golf teams to seven State Championships and nine Runner Up finishes.
Biography
Berglund was a lower-level basketball, volleyball and track and field coach team-teaching sixth-grade science, English and reading at Hazen Middle School before agreeing in the early 1990s to help her husband, Darrell, who at the time was the head coach of both the boys’ and girls’ golf teams.
In 1996 she became the head coach of the girls’ team and the rest is history. Hazen’s girls won the first of seven Class B state titles on Kathy Berglund’s resume. That includes back-to-back titles the past two seasons. Her teams also have finished second in the state five times, third once and sixth once, and 25 of her golfers have won All-State honors.
That 1996 championship also brought Berglund the first of eight Class B Coach of the Year awards from the North Dakota High School Coaches Association, a run that included four straight awards from 2003-06. She was named National Girls’ Golf Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations in 2005, and was a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s National Coach of the Year award in 2006.
Since being honored in 2010, Berglund led Hazen until her retirement in 2014. In 2015 Berglund was named NHSACA National Coach of the Year. A year later she was inducted into the NDHSAA Hall of Fame for her accolades over the course of her career.
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Hazen High School
“At tournaments, we’re never concerned about what the other team is doing. I tell our kids to just focus on their game and do the best they can.” -Darrell Berglund
“At tournaments, we’re never concerned about what the other team is doing. I tell our kids to just focus on their game and do the best they can.” -Darrell Berglund
Darrell Berglund
Hazen High School
Impact Statement
“At tournaments, we’re never concerned about what the other team is doing. I tell our kids to just focus on their game and do the best they can.” -Darrell Berglund
Biography
Berglund was the coach of both the boys’ and girls’ golf teams at Hazen, single-handedly overseeing the progress of teams whose combined numbers totaled 75 golfers or more.
When his wife, Girls’ Golf Coach of the Year Kathy Berglund, took over the girls’ team in 1996, Berglund concentrated on the boys team and has done so since. The Titans broke through to win the Class B state title the past two seasons, Berglund’s first two championships after multiple high state finishes.
A 1979 graduate of Valley City State University who teaches science at Hazen Middle School, Berglund was named Class B Coach of the Year by the North Dakota High School Coaches Association in 1993, 1994, 2003 and 2005, and was named Region 5 Coach of the Year in 2008.
The National Federation of State High School Associations named Berglund its state Coach of the Year in 2006, and he is a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s National Coach of the Year award this year.
Berglund continued to lead Hazen until he announced his retirement after 33 years at the helm of the Boys’ Golf team. His teams won three Class B North Dakota State Championships. His teams finished second at four State Championships.
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Nodaway Valley High School
“The discipline in academics and the discipline in running, it’s the same type of discipline to get your homework done.” -Darrell Burmeister
“The discipline in academics and the discipline in running, it’s the same type of discipline to get your homework done.” -Darrell Burmeister
Darrell Burmeister
Nodaway Valley High School
Impact Statement
“The discipline in academics and the discipline in running, it’s the same type of discipline to get your homework done.” -Darrell Burmeister
Biography
The 30-year coaching veteran is the head coach of four sports at Nodaway Valley – boys’ and girls’ cross country, boys’ basketball and boys’ track and field – and has led three of those programs to state titles.
He has led the girls’ cross country team to 12 state tournament appearances in the past 13 seasons with 10 top-eight finishes, including the 2A state title last fall. The National Federation of State High School Associations named Burmeister its National Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2007.
His boys’ cross country teams advanced to the state meet eight straight years, winning the A state title in 2002 and adding 2A runner-up honors in 2003. A seven-time Southwest Region Coach of the Year, Burmeister was the state’s A Boys’ Coach of the Year in 2002 and Girls’ Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2009.
Burmeister also led the Wolverines boys’ basketball team to the 2A state title in 2006, again earning Coach of the Year honors, as well as a runner-up finish in 2005 and third place in 2007. In 17 seasons his teams have a record of 312-52 and have won 10 conference titles and six district crowns.
Since being honored, Brumeister continues to lead Nodaway Valley. His boys’ basketball team took fourth place in 2012 and in 2014, Brumeister collected his 500th career win.
The Boys’ Cross Coutnry team won another Iowa IA State Championship in 2015 by a 58 point margin.
In 2016 Brumeister was honored as the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union’s Golden Plaque of Distinction Award. This award is given to the coach who has had a successful career and has been a influence in the school, community and the profession of coaching.
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Jesuit High School
“You’re working with more average talents every day. That’s really what it’s all about, it really is a privilege to be out there working with young people.” -Walt Lange
“You’re working with more average talents every day. That’s really what it’s all about, it really is a privilege to be out there working with young people.” -Walt Lange
Walt Lange
Jesuit High School
Impact Statement
“You’re working with more average talents every day. That’s really what it’s all about, it really is a privilege to be out there working with young people.” -Walt Lange
Biography
Lange is completing his 41st year as a boys’ and girls’ cross country coach and boys’ track and field coach, the last 37 at Jesuit, and those teams have combined for 37 league titles. He has led Jesuit’s boys’ cross country team to 25 Sac-Joaquin Section (SJS) titles, including a section-record 15 straight, and nine California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state titles, more than any other SJS school.
Lange also has guided the girls’ cross country teams to four SJS titles, and in 15 years as head coach, his boys’ track and field teams also took four SJS titles (he has spent the past 23 seasons as an assistant coach).
Lange was named Boys’ Cross Country Coach of the Year by the California Coaches Association in 1981, and he was one of 13 coaches statewide to be honored with the highest honor the CIF bestows upon its coaches, the Model Coach Award, for the 2007-08 school year. Later this year Lange will be inducted into the SJS Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class.
Since being honored in 2010, Lange continues to lead Jesuit’s Cross Country teams. Lange was awarded the Legacy Coaches Award by the USATF Pacific Association in 2013. In 2015 Lange was inducted into the Sacramento Running Association Hall of Fame.
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Duncanville High School
“I also love teaching, and to watch my kids grow from high school players to college women is very fulfilling.” -Cathy Self-Morgan
“I also love teaching, and to watch my kids grow from high school players to college women is very fulfilling.” -Cathy Self-Morgan
Cathy Self-Morgan
Duncanville High School
Impact Statement
“I also love teaching, and to watch my kids grow from high school players to college women is very fulfilling.” -Cathy Self-Morgan
Biography
A 31-year coaching veteran, Self-Morgan just completed her 10th season at Duncanville, finishing 33-4, leading the Pantherettes to the regional final and finishing the season ranked No. 18 statewide in 5A.
Her 2003 team won the 5A state title, the fourth of her career, and she owns a career record of 844-191. Prior to her stint at Duncanville, Self-Morgan coached a powerhouse at Austin Westlake High School, leading the Chaparrals to three state championships – the 4A title in 1993 and back-to-back 5A crowns in 1995 and 1996. Her teams have made 22 state playoff appearances and none of her teams have finished with a losing record.
A four-time Texas Coach of the Year, she was honored 10 times as Central Texas Coach of the Year between 1980 and 1996. Self-Morgan has coached in five Texas All-Star Games, was a floor coach for the USA Junior Olympic Trials in 2000 and twice has coached the West team in the McDonald’s All-American Game in 2004 and again this year.
Self-Morgan was a two-time Most Valuable Player at the University of Texas and was the school’s Scholar-Athlete award recipient as a senior in 1977.
Self-Morgan continued to lead Duncanville until she resigned in 2019. She led her teams to eight overall Texas State Championships. She finished with a career record of record of 1,170-287.
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Fairfax High School
“I just want to teach basketball and I’m excited to see the kids learning and improving.”
-Harvey Kitani
“I just want to teach basketball and I’m excited to see the kids learning and improving.”
-Harvey Kitani
Harvey Kitani
Fairfax High School
Impact Statement
“I just want to teach basketball and I’m excited to see the kids learning and improving.”
-Harvey Kitani
Biography
Kitani has guided Fairfax, one of southern California’s storied programs, to the state playoffs in each of his 29 seasons as head coach, as well as several appearances in national rankings.
In 30 years on the bench – his first year was at San Fernando High – he owns a career record of 620-209, including a 607-197 mark at Fairfax. His teams have won 16 league championships, three Los Angeles City championships and two Division 1 state titles. Kitani is a two-time winner of the John R. Wooden Award, as California Coach of the Year in 1999 and as National Coach of the Year in 2004, after guiding Fairfax to the state championship.
He also led Fairfax to the 2007 state title. Kitani earned Coach of the Year honors from the California Coaches Association in 2005. In 2006, he was the head coach of the West team in the McDonald’s All-American Game. Kitani has been part of the coaching staff for the Nike All-American Camp for 10 years and more than 100 of his players have gone on to earn college scholarships.
Since being honored in 2010, Kitani continued to coach Fairfax until he stepped down in May of 2016 after 35 years and a 853-284 record. Kitani also retired from his L.A. Unified School District teaching position. Kitani was hired at Rolling Hills Preparatory prior to the 2016-2017 season as the Head Coach for the Boys’ Basketball team and is the assistant Athletic Director.
Kitani led Rolling Hills Prep to their first CIF Division 5 State Championship. This feat was only completed by one other coach in California’s history.
In 2018 Kitani was named as court coach the USA Men’s U17 World Cup Team Training Camp.
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Timberlane Regional High School
“Having kids come back who have become successful or want to return to the program and give back, that’s the most meaningful thing to me.” -Barry Chooljian
“Having kids come back who have become successful or want to return to the program and give back, that’s the most meaningful thing to me.” -Barry Chooljian
Barry Chooljian
Timberlane Regional High School
Impact Statement
“Having kids come back who have become successful or want to return to the program and give back, that’s the most meaningful thing to me.” -Barry Chooljian
Biography
Chooljian recently completed his 23rd year at the helm of the Timberlane wrestling program. With a record of 385-40-5 as of January 4, 2010, he will pass the 400-victory mark early next season.
This year the Owls finished 23-1 – the lone loss to powerhouse Blairstown Township (N.J.) Blair Academy – and finished 10th in the prestigious Beast of the East tournament. The Owls won their 11th consecutive Division 1 state championship, setting a state record with 314 points.
Timberlane has taken the Division 1 crown 17 of the past 18 years, and the Owls followed that by winning the Meet of Champions all-class state meet for the seventh straight year, the 14th time in the past 16 seasons. Timberlane also has set the standard in the New England Championships.
In 2009, by winning their seventh New England team title, Timberlane became New England’s all-time winningest program, and this season the Owls extended that record with their eighth title. Timberlane has won three straight New England titles, five in the past six seasons and seven titles this decade. 15 Owls wrestlers have won New England crowns under his direction.
Five Timberlane wrestlers have earned NHSCA All-American honors, led by 2002 Senior Nationals champion Matt Smith. The National Federation of State High School Associations followed the NHSCA’s lead by naming Chooljian its National Wrestling Coach of the Year this year.
Choolijian announced he will be retiring from coaching after the 2019-2020 season.
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Eastern Regional High School
“What I’m most proud of is that I played a role, even if it was a small role, in helping to mold these young women at such an important part of their lives.” -Danyle Hielig
“What I’m most proud of is that I played a role, even if it was a small role, in helping to mold these young women at such an important part of their lives.” -Danyle Hielig
Danyle Heilig
Eastern Regional High School
Impact Statement
“What I’m most proud of is that I played a role, even if it was a small role, in helping to mold these young women at such an important part of their lives.” -Danyle Hielig
Biography
Eastern was a field hockey powerhouse before Heilig arrived, and she has elevated that tradition.
In 12 seasons as a head coach, one at Haddon Heights High School and eleven at Eastern, Heilig’s teams have compiled an overall record of 275-8-9, the best career winning percentage of any high school coach in any sport. Her teams once owned a 153-match unbeaten streak.
At Eastern Heilig is 255-2-5 against New Jersey opponents, including a 57-1 playoff mark. She was named United States Coach of the Year by TopOfTheCircle.com in 2009 after leading the Vikings to a 26-2 record, its 11th consecutive Group 4 state championship and its third Tournament of Champions title in four years. One of the two defeats came on penalty strokes to Kingston (PA) Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School, coached by the NHSCA’s 2009 National Coach of the Year, Karen Klassner.
An offensive juggernaut, Eastern outscored its eight state playoff opponents by a combined 63-4 margin and the Vikings led the nation in scoring with 206 goals, becoming just the second high school team ever to pass the 200-goal mark. Eastern received the Newark Star-Ledger Trophy as the state’s top program for the ninth time in 10 years.
Heilig continued to lead Eastern to state- wide dominance over the next ten years. 2018 was a special year as her team won their 20th straight state title, finished the season ranked No. 1 in the nation according to MaxPreps and she captured her 500th career victory.
Heilig announced her retirement in January of 2020.
She finished her stellar career with an magnificent 512-14-6 career record (that’s a 97.7 winning percentage). Her teams claimed a total of 21 State Championships during her 21 year career.
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Professional Achievements
Darien High School
“You have to continue to grow. We talk about it a lot here. Nothing is a given. Just because we are Darien, it is not automatic. You still have to work hard.” -Laurie LaRusso
“You have to continue to grow. We talk about it a lot here. Nothing is a given. Just because we are Darien, it is not automatic. You still have to work hard.” -Laurie LaRusso
Laurie LaRusso
Darien High School
Impact Statement
“You have to continue to grow. We talk about it a lot here. Nothing is a given. Just because we are Darien, it is not automatic. You still have to work hard.” -Laurie LaRusso
Biography
LaRusso has built a volleyball powerhouse at Darien. This year she led the Blue Wave to its second 25-0 season in the past three years. Not only did Darien go 25-0 in both seasons, but the Blue Wave didn’t lose a single set in either season.
Since taking over in 1982, her teams have compiled a record of 536-79, with 11 unbeaten seasons. Since 1993 her teams are an astounding 412-10, with six of the losses coming in the 2000 season; once owned a 139-match winning streak; and is riding a current 49-match winning streak dating back to 2008. LaRusso has guided Darien to 19 Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference titles and 15 Class L state titles. Her teams will enter next season as the 11-time defending champions.
She was named National Coach of the Year by PrepVolleyball.com in 2007, the first coach from an East Coast school to receive the honor, and the Connecticut Sports Writers Association named her the Doc McInerney Female Coach of the Year in 2009. She was inducted into the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007.
Since being honored, LaRusso has continued to lead Darien to success. The Girl’s Blue Waves won another two State Championships in 2012 and 2014. Darien finished second in 2018. The Boys’ team also won another two State Championships in 2011 and 2017. The boys also placed second in 2015, 2016 and most recently in 2019.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Napels High School
Iamurri has led teams to success on both the high school level and the junior college level. He is the winningest softball coach in Florida.
Iamurri has led teams to success on both the high school level and the junior college level. He is the winningest softball coach in Florida.
Robert Iamurri
Napels High School
Impact Statement
Iamurri has led teams to success on both the high school level and the junior college level. He is the winningest softball coach in Florida.
Biography
In 25 years at the helm Iamurri has presided over a team that not only owns many of the state’s softball records but has become one of the nation’s most highly regarded programs.
Iamurri led the Golden Eagles to seven 4A state titles in an eight-year span – from 1989-96 – and their 10 state titles are more than any other Florida school. Iamurri has guided his teams to 646 victories, including a sparkling 115-8 record the past four years. That run included Naples’ most recent state title in 2008, an accomplishment that earned Iamurri Spring Coach of the Year honors from the Naples Daily News.
A perennial fixture at or near the top of the national polls, the Golden Eagles finished 28-2 this season and were ranked No. 1 nationally before falling in the state championship game 3-2 in a nine-inning marathon. Of Iamurri’s 646 wins, 70 have come in state tournament play – also a state record – against just 12 losses. He has guided Naples to 22 state playoff appearances and recorded at least one win in 21 of those.
Named the state’s Coach of the Year in 1994 and 1996, Iamurri was inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009.
Iamurri continued to lead Naples upon being honored until he stepped down in 2014. He is the winningest coach in Florida’s history with 817 wins.
He was hired as the Head Coach for Softball at Florida Southwestern State. In the past five years his record is 226-31. The Bucs have had three berths to the NJCAA National Tournament. He’s coached five NJCAA 1st Team All-Americans during his time thus far.
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Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Chaparral High School
Dawson retired as having the most wins of any baseball coach in the state of Arizona.
Dawson retired as having the most wins of any baseball coach in the state of Arizona.
Jerry Dawson
Chaparral High School
Impact Statement
Dawson retired as having the most wins of any baseball coach in the state of Arizona.
Biography
The only baseball coach Chaparral has had since the program’s inception in 1974, Dawson has led the Firebirds to a record of 774-301 and 34 trips to the state playoffs in his 36 seasons at the helm. His resume includes 23 region championships, 19 appearances in the state’s final four, 12 trips to the state title game and eight 4A state championships – in 1994, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008.
Moving up to 5A Division 2 this season, his team finished 20-12. More than 140 of his players have gone on to play college or professional baseball, including current major leaguers Paul Konerko and Brian Bannister.
A nine-time state Coach of the Year, Dawson was awarded the Victory with Honor Coach of the Year award by the Arizona Interscholastic Association in 2004 and previously won four national Coach of the Year awards, most recently the Easton/Collegiate Baseball Master Coach of the Year award in 2009. He was inducted into the Arizona Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2002, the Arizona Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009.
Dawson was an assistant coach on the USA Baseball Junior National Team that competed in the World Games in Chinese Taipei in 2004, and was the head coach of the USA Baseball Junior National Team that won the silver medal in the Pan-Am Games in Villa Hermosa, Mexico in 2005.
Dawson retired from his position at Chapparela High in 2010 after 37 years at the helm. He retired as the most winningest baseball coach in the state of Arizona.
As of 2020, Dawson is now in his ninth season as the pitching coach at Yavapai College. He has had multiple student-athletes move on to Division I programs. In addition, Dawson and the Yavapai program has had major league success with Houston Astro’s World Series pitcher Kenny Giles who was drafted in the 2011 draft.
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Professional Achievements
Greenville High school
“Any great coach worth his or her salt is always looking forward to the next play. That is how I am wired. Always thinking of the next play.” -Jeremy Williams
“Any great coach worth his or her salt is always looking forward to the next play. That is how I am wired. Always thinking of the next play.” -Jeremy Williams
Jeremy Williams
Greenville High school
Impact Statement
“Any great coach worth his or her salt is always looking forward to the next play. That is how I am wired. Always thinking of the next play.” -Jeremy Williams
Biography
A standout safety at the University of Memphis from 1990-93, Williams has coached at Greenville, a school in a town of fewer than 1,000 people playing in small-school Class A, for the past eight seasons. He has led his teams to a 47-37 record and three state playoff appearances. Pictured below, Williams, #19, was part of one of the greatest upsets in college football history on September 2, 1991 when Memphis State knocked off USC.
So those numbers don’t impress you? Maybe this will: Williams coached the Patriots to a perfect 10-0 regular-season record last fall – they were eliminated by the eventual state champion in the second round of the playoffs to finish 11-1 – after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Riding to practices in a golf cart, sometimes having to lean on his players as he coached, he still inspired Greenville to heights the program hadn’t seen since its last unbeaten season in 1992.
The ABC television series, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, rebuilt Williams’ house to accommodate his health issues and those of his 6-year-old son, Jacob, who was born with spina bifida and is confined to a wheelchair, as well as the Greenville High School field house. Williams was named the Atlanta Falcons’ High School Coach of the Week for Nov. 23, and his was voted Sports Story of the Year for 2009 by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Williams continued to coach until his retirement on June 30, 2011. Despite his retirement, coaching is still part of his life. He uses eye-tracking technology. This allows him to communicate via text with coaches, offering advice and tips. He breaks down films that coaches email him and gives feedback.
His wife Jennifer said it best, “although we have adverse circumstances in our life, I think it’s important not to focus on the bad, because we truly do live victorious lives.”
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Community Service
Coach Williams still remains active in his community. He gives his testimony at local churches, men's conferences and Fellowship of Christian Athletes groups. He also co-leads a Bible study on Wednesday nights at his family's house.
