News Around the League

US Youth Coaches & Groups Honored for Dedication


BOSTON, Feb 06, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- 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 Football recipients are:

-- Joseph Penton, North Pole, Alaska
-- Mark LaBell, Phoenix, Ariz.
-- James Dean, Victorville, Calif.
-- Jose Cardenas, Denver, Colo.
-- Will Quarles, Bridgeport, Conn.
-- Kevin Nesbitt, Washington, D.C.
-- Ronald Nerf, Boca Raton, Fla.
-- Thaddis Pouncey, Jr., Atlanta, Ga.
-- Rockwell Fukino, Honolulu, Hawaii
-- Louie Rosalez, Epworth, Iowa
-- Steve McNitt, Meridian, Idaho
-- Troy Meeks, Batavia, Ill.
-- Brandon Gillard, Indianapolis, Ind.
-- Mike Dumpert, Paola, Kan.
-- Warren Crockett, Covington, La.
-- Phil Johnson, Lexington, Mass.
-- Terrence Williams, Owings Mills, Md.
-- Sue Lizotte, Sanford, Maine
-- Eric Bambard, Walled Lake, Mich.
-- Scott Cottrell, Brooklyn Park, Minn.
-- Bob Hartnack, Long Beach, Miss.
-- Eric Johnson, Billings, Mont.
-- Scott Mooneyham, Raleigh, N.C.
-- Bruce Kramer, Minot, N.D.
-- Adbul Muhammed, Omaha, Neb.
-- Bill Reilly, Dover, N.H.
-- Joseph Wilder, Las Vegas, Nev.
-- Edmond Wilson, Bronx, N.Y.
-- Danny Davis, Mason, Ohio
-- Mike Watts, Yukon, Okla.
-- Michael Mott, Lake Oswego, Ore.
-- Tom Fleming, Johnstown, Pa.
-- Chris Stenger, Summerville, S.C.
-- Craig Littles, Memphis, Tenn.
-- Rodney Williams, Mesquite, Texas
-- Jason Wilcox, Kearns, Utah
-- Tony Arcovitch, Essex Junction, Vt.
-- Shaun Samuels, Burien, Wash.
-- Matt Wakefield, Howard, Wisc.
-- Paul Gilmer, Charleston, W.V.

"These youth football coaches are fantastic role models for other volunteer coaches throughout the country," said USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck. "In various ways these winners have had a profound impact in their communities by demonstrating high standards and creating an atmosphere that encourages fun and responsible behavior."