NOMINATIONS
Recognizing Excellence: Nominate Outstanding Coaches and Youth Athletes
Nominations
EPIC Education and Consulting is always looking to recognize individuals and organizations in the community that prioritize health and safety of the athlete during sports participation. In order to recognize individuals and organizations that promote the same values as our organization, EPIC has created the Coach of the Year and Youth STAR Awards. If you are interested in nominating a coach or a facility for an award, please read the descriptions below and complete the form to receive additional information on each award.
Coach of the Year Award
Beginning in 2019, EPIC Education began awarding an Annual Coach of the Year Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize coaches for all they do to serve their local communities.
Youth Star Award
Beginning in 2018, EPIC Education began awarding youth facilities with the Youth STAR Award to recognize youth leagues and athletic venues/facilities for implementing proper standards of healthcare and safety for youth athletes.
Nomination Form
Within the heart of every young athlete lies the potential for greatness, fueled by passion, nurtured by dedication, and empowered by opportunity.
Coach of the Year Award
Beginning in 2019, EPIC Education began awarding an Annual Coach of the Year Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize coaches for all they do to serve their local communities. Areas to consider when choosing award winner in order of significance will be:
- Promoting health and safety of their student-athletes during practice and competition
- Demonstrating sportsmanship
- Fostering positive values and ethics in student-athletes
- Coaching success
- Community service
Initial nominations were accepted in April 2019. Nominations were open to any junior high or high school level coach (public or private) in the Acadiana region, including Acadia, Calcasieu, Iberia, Jeff Davis, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion. The winner was announced at 2019 GAME camp for student-athletes. Finalists received a plaque and the winner received a $200 donation to their athletic program.
Winner: Ryan Antoine (Westgate High School Football)
Finalists
- Hunter Bonvillain (Lafayette High School Football and Baseball)
- Thad Dickey (Beau Chene High School Volleyball, Softball, and Football)
- Brian Keltner (Iota High School Football)
- Michael Thibodeaux (Teurlings Catholic High School Baseball)
Youth Star Award
Beginning in 2018, EPIC Education began awarding youth facilities with the Youth STAR Award to recognize youth leagues and athletic venues/facilities for implementing proper standards of healthcare and safety for youth athletes. The basic award standards include emergency action plans (EAPs), anaphylaxis and allergy emergency plans, background check requirements, CPR/AED requirements, sudden cardiac death/concussion recognition requirements, and weather policy requirements. Many of these basic standards are required by state law. Facilities must meet all of the basic requirements to receive the bronze star award.
Advanced award standards include pre-participation exams, parents’ education, additional coaches’ education/training, nutrition counseling/education, equipment certification, medical professional event coverage, bleeding control policy, tobacco free policy, and standard expectation of behavior policy. Depending on the number of advanced standards implemented, facilities have an opportunity to receive the silver, gold, or platinum star status. Facilities receiving this award will get a banner to display at their facility along with a press release to issue to various media outlets.