Each weekend parents across America put their children -- some 35 million of them -- into the guiding hands of youth sport coaches, typically another parent or simply a volunteer. Many of these coaches face tough expectations: ensure equal playing time, guide their team to victory, and help boys and girls become the superstars they (or their parents) dream of. But when a coach and entire communities place character, sportsmanship, and the young athletes' well-being before wins, they demonstrate a level of responsibility that deserves recognition. That is why Liberty Mutual is recognizing 88 youth soccer and football coaches across the country with its Responsible Coaching Award and $500 grants, and is awarding $2,500 grants to 20 U.S. youth sports organizations that excelled at encouraging participation in an online youth sports-mentoring curriculum at www.ResponsibleSports.com.
"The Responsible Sports program celebrates the dedication and selflessness of youth coaches who give of themselves to teach our children the rules of sport and fair play, and, in many cases, the rules of life," said Greg Gordon, vice president of Consumer Marketing at Liberty Mutual. "It also provides parents and coaches alike with a common platform to align community-sport priorities and expectations. The result is thousands of compelling and uplifting stories of the positive sporting environments that have been created for young athletes across America."
Launched in September 2007, ResponsibleSports.com is an online community developed by Liberty Mutual -- in partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance, U.S. Youth Soccer and USA Football -- that features advice, online discussions, toolkits, and proven best practices for parents and coaches who seek to foster positive sporting experiences for kids.
Throughout the fall and early winter, parents and peer coaches nominated thousands of youth football and soccer coaches at www.ResponsibleSports.com for the Liberty Mutual Responsible Coaching Award, celebrating tangible examples of responsible behavior in mentoring young athletes. Additionally, more than 5,500 parents, coaches and administrators completed the online Responsible Sports curriculum on behalf of more than 500 youth sports organizations.
"Sports provide parents and other adults a wonderful springboard to interact with kids and teach positive behavior," added Jim Thompson, founder and executive director of Positive Coaching Alliance. "These coaches and organizations are reinforcing the values of sportsmanship and responsible behavior, and how they influence positive outcomes in their lives."
2007 Responsible Coaching Award Recipients
The Responsible Coaching Award winners were selected based on their ability to:
-- Exhibit a high level of coaching competence; -- Achieve and maintain excellence on the field; and -- Demonstrate an on-going commitment to the well-being and development of athletes off the field The 2007 Responsible Coaching Award Youth Soccer recipients are:
-- Alan McGinty, Fairbanks, Alaska
-- Alex Tomlinson, Huntsville, Ala.
-- Will Maffitt, Hot Springs, Ark.
-- Kenneth Laird, Phoenix, Ariz.
-- Steve Hindman, Los Altos/Mountain View, Calif.
-- Jeff King, Durango, Colo.
-- Todd Howe, Danbury, Conn.
-- Ed Salcedo, Washington, D.C.
-- Mike Zdradzinski, Dover, Del.
-- Tony Goiran, Land O Lakes, Fla.
-- Joe Negeret, Hamilton, Ga.
-- Josa Dydasco, Honolulu, Hawaii
-- Allen Brown, Lewiston-Clarkston, Idaho
-- Ali Basaran, New Palestine, Ind.
-- Alan Jones, Lenexa, Kan.
-- Tim Keeton, Winchester, Ky.
-- Christopher Albright, Baton Rouge, La.
-- Rich Frongillo, Franklin, Mass.
-- Anthony Welch, Frederick, Md.
-- Daniel Mallett, Winslow, Maine
-- Todd Mattson, Commerce Township, Mich.
-- Gene Evers, Cambridge, Minn.
-- Gregg Hibbler, Kansas City, Mo.
-- Ron King, Leakesville, Miss.
-- Charlie Webster, Libby, Mont.
-- Walter Ortiz, Concord, N.C.
-- Mario Zuniga, Omaha, Neb.
-- Bill Doucet, Newmarket, N.H.
-- Dan Manson, Wall, N.J.
-- Matt Geisel, Rio Rancho, N.M.
-- Willie Richard, Las Vegas, Nev.
-- Robert (Bob) Johnson, Webster, N.Y.
-- Patrick O'Brien, West Chester, Ohio
-- John Crouch, Tulsa, Okla.
-- Helen Evans, Salem, Ore.
-- Sam Lee, Philadelphia, Pa.
-- Tom Conrad, Middletown, R.I.
-- Barry Whittington, Hampton-Varnville, S.C.
-- Dan Davis, Rapid City, S.D.
-- Ashley Halter, Brentwood, Tenn.
-- Gary Rodriguez, Frisco, Texas
-- Justus Koelliker, Sandy, Utah
-- Tara Hagy, Herndon, Va.
-- Mike Cox, Bainbridge Island, Wash.
-- Ken Ward, Wales, Wisc.
-- Heather Awbery, Spokane, Wash.
"There are thousands of youth soccer coaches across the country seeking to provide the positive, nurturing environment that promotes life lessons and builds character for future generations," said Jim Cosgrove, executive director of U.S. Youth Soccer. "Today marks a special day in the recognition of what youth sport can and should be. We are proud to be a part of this program and in recognizing the efforts and dedication of those working with youth athletes."http://www.ResponsibleSports.com