Impact
Records
Susan Curnias
William H. Hall High School
Impact Statement
Curnias has had a successful career in multiple sports as she led the Girls’ Track & Field, Cross Country and Gymnastics.
Biography
The second NHSCA National Coach of the Year from William H. Hall in as many years, Curnias is the only woman to be named Coach of the Year by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association (CHSCA) in three sports. She was 78-37 in nine seasons as Hall’s gymnastics coach and was named Coach of the Year in 1980.
In 27 years as Hall’s cross country coach, Curnias is 338-97-1, winning a Class L state title in 1987 and Coach of the Year honors in 1988. And Curnias is in her 34th season as Hall’s track and field coach. The 1990 Coach of the Year, her teams won Class L and State Open titles in 1986 and have finished second in state five times, including three straight Class LL runnerup finishes in 2003, 2004 and 2005, and have won 11 Central Connecticut Conference Western Division titles. She also coached swimming for two years at another West Hartford school, Conard High School, with a 14-5 record.
Inducted into the CHSCA Hall of Fame in 2005, Curnias was named National Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations in 1992. The NHSACA named her Region Coach of the Year in track and field in 1991 and in cross country in 2004.
At the 40th annual Lindy J. Remigino (NHSCA Boys Track and Field National Coach of the Year in 2002) Outdoor Track and Field Invitational next month in New Britain, the women’s 100-meter hurdles has been renamed the Sue Curnias Women’s 100m Hurdles in her honor.
Curnias retired from teaching following the 2012 school year.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
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.”
Photos
Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Oak Ridge High School
“He was a great coach for me, and a lot of other athletes who ran under him can say the same thing. He meant so much for Oak Ridge.” -Odeika Bent, Oak Ridge Coach
“He was a great coach for me, and a lot of other athletes who ran under him can say the same thing. He meant so much for Oak Ridge.” -Odeika Bent, Oak Ridge Coach
Bill Stamper
Oak Ridge High School
Impact Statement
“He was a great coach for me, and a lot of other athletes who ran under him can say the same thing. He meant so much for Oak Ridge.” -Odeika Bent, Oak Ridge Coach
Biography
Stamper, 54, has coached the girls’ track and field team at Oak Ridge since 1979, and the girls’ cross country team since 1986. He also coached the boys’ cross country team from 1979-1996. Stamper’s girls’ track and field teams have won nine state championships, including three straight in Class 3A from 2006-08, and are five-time state runners-up.
This year’s team finished 10th. He has coached 19 All-American athletes, 20 state champion athletes, and 115 regional champions. Forty of his athletes have received college scholarships. He served as the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) district track & field chair for 13 years and was a member of the FHSAA Track and Field Advisory Committee.
He is a member of the FACA and Florida Track and Field Halls of Fame and is a three-time finalist for NHSACA National Coach of the Year. Stamper will be inducted into the Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame this year.
Stamper retired from coaching in 2010.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School
Holdren is one of the most accomplished Track & Field coaches in the nation. He is still adding to these accomplishments at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School.
Holdren is one of the most accomplished Track & Field coaches in the nation. He is still adding to these accomplishments at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School.
James Holdren
Maggie L. Walker Governor's School
Impact Statement
Holdren is one of the most accomplished Track & Field coaches in the nation. He is still adding to these accomplishments at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School.
Biography
Holdren has been coaching cross country and track for 43 years, beginning his career at the College of William and Mary while he was still a cross country runner on the team. The track and field rules interpreter for the state of Virginia, Holdren was named the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year in 1988 and the Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2006, the same year he was inducted into the NHSACA Hall of Fame.
Inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame in 1993, Holdren has compiled 1,227 victories at Thomas Jefferson High in Richmond and at the Governor’s School, including a 16-year undefeated streak in girls’ track. He is the state’s all-time leading winner in girls cross country and track. He has coached 10 national record holders, 51 All-Americans, and 115 state champions.
Since being honored in 2007, Holdren has continued to hold the reigns at the Governor’s School. After 53 years in the sport, he’s still at the top of his game.
In 2010 Holdren was honored with the inagural Gill Athletics National High School Track & Field Coach of the Year Award.
In 2015 Holdrens’ girls’ and boys’ teams literally ran away with the Indoor State Titles.
Photos
Articles
Records
Professional Achievements
Central High School
Bowie is one of the most decorated coaches in Maryland history. His teams won a total of 41 State Tiles under his direction.
Bowie is one of the most decorated coaches in Maryland history. His teams won a total of 41 State Tiles under his direction.
Ed Bowie
Central High School
Impact Statement
Bowie is one of the most decorated coaches in Maryland history. His teams won a total of 41 State Tiles under his direction.
Biography
No Maryland girls coach has been more successful than Bowie. His team won the Class 2A-1A indoor track title this year, Bowie’s 16th indoor track title overall, and he was named Coach of the Year by the Washington Post. Six of his teams have scored state runner-up finishes.
Bowie’s outdoor track teams have won 13 state titles, including 12 straight from 1981-92, to go along with five runner-up finishes. Bowie also coached the boys’ outdoor team to five state titles between 1976 and 1985 and he has won a total of 41 state titles in cross country and indoor and outdoor track.
Photos
Records
Valley Christian High School
Kuiper led on the track and in the classroom. He has coached Valley Christian to 26 State Championships and was named 2019 Educator of the Year.
Kuiper led on the track and in the classroom. He has coached Valley Christian to 26 State Championships and was named 2019 Educator of the Year.
Dan Kuiper
Valley Christian High School
Impact Statement
Kuiper led on the track and in the classroom. He has coached Valley Christian to 26 State Championships and was named 2019 Educator of the Year.
Biography
Kuiper has built a small-school powerhouse in the Phoenix area. Last weekend his girls team won its 11th consecutive Class 2A state title and 14th overall since 1992. His teams also earned one runner-up and one third-place finish.
In 2002 Kuiper also assumed the boys head coaching duties and has led them to four titles in a row as well.
Since being honored in 2005, Kuiper continued to coach until 2014. Over the course of his career his teams won a total of 26 state track and field championships.
In addition to coaching, Kuiper has held a number of positions as an educator. He resigned after the 2014 coaching season to become Chandler’s Principal. In 2019 he became the Superintendent of Valley Christian Schools.
Photos
Videos
Records
Personal Honors
Benson Polytechnic High School
McKenzie’s team motto: “ONE FAMILY, ONE HEARTBEAT”
McKenzie’s team motto: “ONE FAMILY, ONE HEARTBEAT”
Leon McKenzie
Benson Polytechnic High School
Impact Statement
McKenzie’s team motto: “ONE FAMILY, ONE HEARTBEAT”
Biography
Leon McKenzie of Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, Oregon is the NHSCA National Coach of the Year in girls’ track and field after the school’s dynasty status has been solidified with five straight Class 4A titles.
McKenzie has coached Benson for 34 years until his retirement in 2014. His teams have boasted 11 State Titles and seven State Runner Ups. He was named Oregon Coach of the year 15 times.
McKenzie was also an assistant coach in football at Benson for 15 years.
Photos
Records
Professional Achievements
Regis High School
Bauer has led Regis to twelve state titles between Cross Country and Track & Field over his impressive career.
Bauer has led Regis to twelve state titles between Cross Country and Track & Field over his impressive career.
Michael Bauer
Regis High School
Impact Statement
Bauer has led Regis to twelve state titles between Cross Country and Track & Field over his impressive career.
Biography
“Michael Bauer’s consistent commitment to his athletes and the sport of cross country is an example for young coaches,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to recognize Michael Bauer as the National High School Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year.”
Bauer has compiled an amazing cross country coaching pedigree across the past 27 years, including 25 district titles and nine state championships won by his girls’ teams as of 2003. Bauer has won numerous coach of the year awards at different levels of competition, including seven times being named Oregon Cross Country Coach of the Year.
Since 2003 Bauer has continued to build his legacy. In 2016 Bauer led Regis to their third Team State Championship with other titles won in 1979 and 2006, respectively. It is the 12th state title Bauer’s claimed between his track and field and cross country career over the last 42 years.
Photos
Records
Northrop High School
Knudson had led teams to success on both the high school level and college level.
Knudson had led teams to success on both the high school level and college level.
Tom Knudson
Northrop High School
Impact Statement
Knudson had led teams to success on both the high school level and college level.
Biography
Knudson just completed his third season as Northrop High’s girls track and field coach, and presided over the three most successful seasons in school history as Northrop High won its third consecutive state team title. His team won this year’s title with depth, winning just two events but picking up 10 top-five finishes overall. Northrop High now has won five state championships overall in girls track and field – the first two coming in 1981 and 1991 – and became just the second school ever to win three consecutive state titles.
With a young team this year, Knudson stands a solid chance to become the first coach to win four in a row next season and he did just that. Knudson led Northrop to another state championship in 2003 and another in 2004. He led the Bruins to seven State titles and two state runner-up titles.
After 27 years coaching in the high school level, and 12 of those seasons at Northrop, Knudson resigned and became Trine Univeristy’s Director of Men’s Track & Field. Knudson took on a different role and is now the Meet Coordinator. Since going to Trine, the university has produced six NCAA Division III All-American performances.
Photos
T.W. Andrews High School
Morris coached both the Girls’ and Boys’ Track & Field teams to a State Championship title.
Morris coached both the Girls’ and Boys’ Track & Field teams to a State Championship title.
Neal Morris
T.W. Andrews High School
Impact Statement
Morris coached both the Girls’ and Boys’ Track & Field teams to a State Championship title.
Biography
Morris led both the boys and girls teams from T.W. Andrews High to Class 3A state titles this season. The girls’ team won four events, scoring 76 points to win the title by 23; the boys team added three event victories and scored 52 points for a 12-point margin of victory.
Morris accomplished this while engaged in a personal battle of his own, undergoing chemotherapy treatments for testicular cancer, with which he was diagnosed in mid-March.
Morris passed away December 2, 2003 at the age of 39. There is a Invitational held each year in his honor.
Photos
Records
Eleanor Roosevelt High School
“It’s not about money. It’s not about fame. When a youngster comes back and says thank you, that means more to me than a million dollars.” -Larry Colbert
“It’s not about money. It’s not about fame. When a youngster comes back and says thank you, that means more to me than a million dollars.” -Larry Colbert
Larry Colbert
Eleanor Roosevelt High School
Impact Statement
“It’s not about money. It’s not about fame. When a youngster comes back and says thank you, that means more to me than a million dollars.” -Larry Colbert
Biography
“Larry Colbert is an outstanding example for successful high school track and field coaches,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “They place a high value on the teamwork skills players learn for success in the classroom and on the field, and we are proud to be honoring him.”
Colbert led the Lady Raiders track team to its fifth consecutive Class 4A state team title in 1999. Prior to the state tournament Colbert made a key move that helped his team earn the title. After rival Largo High had twice defeated his 4×100-meter relay team, Colbert shuffled the order of the relay for the state tournament and they won the event to help earn crucial team points.
Colbert is much more then a coach. He is a visionary and an active member in his community. The Prince George County’s Sports & Learning Complex Track is named after him.
Colbert is still active in competing in Master’s divisions. In August of 2018, he broke the Maryland Senior Olympic record by running a 8.44 second 50 meter dash. Colbert holds two other records and numerous medals, awards and titles.
He is still very active in coaching. He is the assistant coach at Bowie State University in Maryland.
Photos
Videos
