The CIF State office announced the 2019-20 Eastbay Model Coach Award winners in a Thursday press release. Now in its 19th year, the CIF Model Coach Award program is designed to recognize coaches who have served as positive role models in their schools and communities, and who have exhibited the traits apparent in the 16 principles of Pursuing Victory with Honor sm
According to the CIF State a model coach demonstrates and teaches the six core ethical values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship (the “Six Pillars of Character”). The CIF believes that the highest potential of sports is achieved when teachers/coaches consciously Teach, Enforce, Advocate and Model (T.E.A.M.) these values and are committed to the ideal of Pursuing Victory with Honor sm.
“Coaches have the ability to transform the lives of young people and we recognize and honor those selfless coaches that take pride in molding the futures of the student-athletes they mentor,” said CIF Executive Director Ron Nocetti.
Twelve coaches were honored statewide with two each from the CIF North Coast Section, the CIF Central Coast Section, the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section and the CIF Northern Section, and one from the CIF San Francisco Section with Marin Catholic-Kentfield sweeping the NCS awards after Scott Bronson and Sophie Waldron were honored.
Bronson, the boys’ volleyball coach at Marin Catholic, embodies the qualities and values of not just a good coach but a good overall person. He teaches the values necessary to be a good citizen by walking the walk. His actions show his players what it means to be trustworthy, respectful and caring.
With more than 20 years of coaching experience, Waldron, the Marin Catholic water polo coach, is a perfect example of someone who is a positive role model not only within Marin Catholic but the entire community. She teaches her student-athletes what it means to be a good leader, how to learn from their mistakes, how to handle losses with dignity, the importance of the bonds of teammates and most importantly how to have fun and work hard.
The winners from the CIF Central Coast Section are Bill Schaefer of Santa Teresa-San Jose and Ramona Young of St. Francis-Watsonville.
Schaefer coaches tennis at Santa Teresa and also teaches Adaptive PE for students with moderate to severe disabilities. He is a very dedicated and steadfast individual, let alone coach. He pours his heart and soul into his love for others through athletics. His students and especially those he coaches have a true appreciation of what he tries to do for them in giving them great experiences and guidance.
Young has coached cross country and track and field at St. Francis since 2006. She is an exceptional student-athletics leader with a gentle demeanor, a strong presence and her professionalism always exceeds what is required of her. She has the capacity and the patience to apply rigorous expectations and technical skills to her student-athletes so that she can measure growth – thus fostering life-long learning and a healthy lifestyle.
The CIF Sac-Joaquin Section honorees are Scott Savoie from Bear River-Lake of the Pines and Maryann Tolbert from Manteca.
Savoie’s reputation as an immensely successful coach speaks for itself in the three sports he coaches at Bear River, football, wrestling and track and field. There are countless young people who would likely not have graduated high school or become productive members of society without Savoie’s guidance. He picks his student-athletes up, dusts them off when they falter, praises their good hearts and kind actions, and helps them see (and actually believe) that they can be much more than they ever imagined.
Integrity, efficiency, diligence, and teamwork are just a few of the personal characteristics that describe Tolbert, the Manteca tennis coach. She teaches and coaches her athletes to respect the game both in the spirit of the game and in following the rules. She is a coach who expects the absolute best from each of her student-athletes, creating an immeasurable bond, built upon mutual understanding and reverence.
Award winners from the CIF Northern Section are Carol Martin of Willows and Tom St. Jacques of Lassen-Susanville.
Martin coaches girls’ volleyball and basketball at Willows. Her popularity amongst her players is tangible and her enthusiasm for athletics is contagious. She strikes a beautiful balance between holding her student-athletes ruthlessly accountable while still developing a caring relationship with her players. She takes pride in dedicating herself and her players to daily improvement.
St. Jacques has coached football at Lassen for 25 years, teaching his student-athletes not only about football but more importantly about life and what it takes to be successful. He continuously tells his players that he cares about their character over their performance. He strives to teach everyone around him that selflessness empowers and selfishness destroys. He captivates his athletes with his knowledge of the game and how it relates to life’s challenges and triumphs.
Charles Hatch of both Burton and Lowell is the CIF San Francisco Section recipient. His dedication to coaching is evident, as he coaches in all seasons including football and basketball at Burton High School and track & field at Lowell High School. Coach Hatch is a caring individual who often puts others first and always finds a way to help out or be involved. What makes him such a great coach is his personality. He can be serious but at the same time funny and he always keeps things in perspective.
The other three winners were from Southern California.
Softball, basketball and tennis coach Lori Chandler from El Camino Woodland Hills, and Venice football coach Anthony Gasca, both from the Los Angeles City Section. Vista girls basketball Coach Moramarco was an honoree from the CIF San Diego Section.
Congratulations and thank you to all 12 Model coaches for everything you do for high school sports in California.
