SACRAMENTO, CA – The CIF State office announced in a Thursday morning press release the 2020-21 Eastbay Model Coach Award winners. In its 20th 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.
Marin Catholic football head coach Mazi Moayed was one of nine selections for what CIF Executive Director Ron Nocetti confirmed is the CIF’s most prestigious annual honor for coaches, but the only one from the North Coast Section.
Besides Moayed, Northern California had four additional honorees. The Sac-Joaquin Section had two selections, and the San Francisco City Section and Northern Section each had one award winner. From the Southern Region the Central Section had two coaches selected as did the Los Angeles City Section. One school had two coaches honored, Stockdale of Bakersfield.
According to the CIF press release 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 Honorsm.
“We recognize and honor those transformational coaches who take pride in guiding the student-athletes they mentor,” Nocetti said in the release.
Besides being the lone honoree from the North Coast Section, Moayed was the only football coach among the nine selections. Soccer (boys/girls) and softball had two selections. Baseball, cross country, volleyball (boys/girls) and track each had one coach honored.
“I’m humbled and honored to be one of the nine coaches selected,” said Moayed, who when told Thursday morning he was being honored had not yet gotten the word. “There are so many good coaches that are mentors and leaders in their community that makes these things tough to pick.”
“I work in a fantastic community environment at Marin Catholic surrounded by great people that make this easy and fun,” continued Moayed, who besides coaching football and being the Director of Football Operations, is also the Special Assistant to the Dominican Sisters and for Student Affairs. “I’m proud to be part of this community and represent them in winning this honor.
Moayed, who has been at the Marin Catholic helm since 2010, has compiled a 123-21 record in 10 full seasons and this past one abbreviated one in which his Wildcats were 5-0.
What a lot of people don’t know is in 2010, and two months after he was named the head coach at Marin Catholic, the at the time 42-year old Novato High graduate got some news, and is wasn’t good. He was diagnosed with high grade sarcoma and had a tumor the size of a lime in his thigh and four legions in his lungs.
Moayed, who eventually left a high-paying job in the construction industry to coach football full time and work at the school, could have stepped away from coaching, but he fought his battle with the Big C and eventually beat it, and along the way his Wildcats went 12-1 after losing in the NCS D3 semifinals.
The one-paragraph nomination for Moayed that was in the CIF press release read as follows:
Moayed has been an integral member of the Marin Catholic community, both on and off the field. Not only does he help instill in every player who comes through his program a top-notch work ethic and attention to detail on the field, but his top priority is also molding them into better leaders and people to serve the community. Teaching the values that he does is one thing, but Coach Mazi is a perfect example of “practicing what you preach.” He is a compassionate, humble, intelligent, responsible, and thoughtful role model.
Here are the other four Northern California Model Coach Award winners and their one paragraph nomination from the CIF press release.
Tracy Cordes – Rodriguez-Fairfield – Sac-Joaquin Section – Softball
Cordes has served as Physical Education Teacher, Athletic Director, Department Chair, School Site Council President, and Head Varsity Softball Coach at Rodriguez High School. Her exceptional leadership has a positive impact on student-athlete progress and outcomes. As a teacher, her students love P.E., and her department thrives to support healthy activities and lifestyles during their high school years and after. Coach Cordes focuses on innovation, relationship building, and trust; putting in long, hard hours to support coaches and athletes. More importantly, Cordes’ unwavering commitment to building strong character and academic excellence in her student-athletes has earned her a positive reputation in the community.
Bryan Kilby – Franklin-Elk Grove – Sac-Joaquin Section – Baseball
In his 22 years of coaching baseball in the Elk Grove Unified District, Kilby is currently in his 19th year of coaching baseball at Franklin High School and 10th year as head coach. Additionally, Kilby also serves as a teacher, assistant athletic director, and student activities director at FHS. He is celebrated in the Elk Grove area as a trustworthy, respectful, responsible man, teacher, and coach. He expects and quietly demands that his students and players demonstrate extraordinary citizenship, and he leads by example at every opportunity. Kilby's highlight reel also reflects his exemplary character, integrity, and service to his school and his community.
Tim Milhorn – Orland – Northern Section – Soccer (Boys/Girls)
An institution in Orland Unified, Milhorn has served as a teacher and coach for over 40 years. Exemplary coaches should demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character and Milhorn does just that. He shows respect for his players, no matter the skill level, treating all players equally and knowing they will get a fair shake if they work hard in practice. He creates a fun and positive environment, promotes team unity while experiencing a successful season. Coach Milhorn is extremely committed, passionate, knowledgeable, dedicated, and consistently promoting confidence and self-worth in each student-athlete.
Kenyatta Scott – Lincoln – San Francisco Section – Soccer (Boys/Girls)
For over 20 years Scott has worn many hats at Lincoln High School serving as a mathematics instructor, athletic director, and both boys and girls head soccer coach. His passion, dedication, and desire to mold and uplift student-athletes is inspiring. Scott insists and demands his athletes to be students first, athletes second. He exudes integrity with every action and does it with empathy.
These are the four honorees from the Southern Region.
Stephanie Boshae – Cesar Chavez – Los Angeles City Section – Softball
Timothy Bergeron – Eagle Rock – Los Angeles City Section – Volleyball (Girls/Boys)
David Lonsinger – Stockdale-Bakersfield – Central Section – Track
Bree Tape – Stockdale-Bakersfield – Central Section – Cross Country
