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Issue Date: January 13, 2008
Nominate a great youth coach
Do you have a sports mentor who goes beyond the call of duty, on and off the field? Send us the details.
It's that time again! For the 12th year, USA WEEKEND will honor the dedicated individuals who help young athletes achieve excellence both on and off the playing field. The Most Caring Coach Awards, co-sponsored by the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, honor outstanding men and women who, through schools or youth recreation programs, go beyond typical coaching duties to make a difference in communities and the lives of kids. Nominees are eligible if they work with children and teens up to high school age. Our judges will select three honorees, whom you'll meet in a spring issue of USA WEEKEND.
Our 2008 judges:
Bob Bradley, U.S. men's national soccer team coach
Kelly Amonte Hiller, women's lacrosse coach at Northwestern University
Clint Hurdle, manager of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies
Larry Maneely, board president of the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame
Edgar Martinez, retired designated hitter for the Seattle Mariners
Ken Whisenhunt, head coach of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals
Suzanne Yoculan, University of Georgia's women's gymnastics coach
Winners will be recognized at the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame's awards dinner in June 2008. Each will receive $1,000 for his or her team or favorite charity.
Edgar Martinez, one of our judges and a 2007 inductee into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, is well known for his good works. After 18 years with the Mariners, the legendary designated hitter retired in 2004 from the major leagues. He and his wife, Holli, have donated time and money to many charities, especially Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle. "We talk and lead by example and give to the community to help make it a better place for all of us," he says.
The Mariners established the Edgar Martinez Endowment for Muscular Dystrophy Research at the center in his honor. His nephew has an advanced case of the disease. The Martinezes also work with Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Martinez says he's grateful to two of his own youth mentors while growing up in Puerto Rico: Little League coach Jorge Kuilan and, later, Jose Antonio. Kuilan was a "very big man, but also very gentle and sensitive," Martinez says. "He made me feel that I could succeed and that going through tough times was OK."
Antonio coached Martinez in his teen years and advised him before he turned pro. Martinez laughs about Antonio's intense workouts.
The two mentors shared a passion for having fun while stressing hard work. "They were not being paid to be coaches," he says. "They did it because they cared about the well-being of kids, and they gave time to help out. They were very giving people."
-- Caren Oppenheim
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HOW TO ENTER
Please describe what makes your coach exceptional, in 250 words or less. You may send news clippings or other supporting materials, but they can't be returned. The nomination must include: 1) Coach's name, daytime phone number and e-mail address; 2) Coach's team/activity; 3) Your name, phone number and e-mail address; 4) Your address, city, state and ZIP code; and 5) The name of the newspaper in which you read USA WEEKEND Magazine.
Nominations must be postmarked by Feb. 1
Mail to:
Most Caring Coach
USA WEEKEND
7950 Jones Branch Dr.
McLean, Va. 22107
Or enter online by Feb. 1.
Employees of Gannett and USA WEEKEND carrier newspapers, as well as their family members, are ineligible. Honorees must sign a release. Entries become the property of USA WEEKEND Magazine and will not be returned.
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