Holy Trinity coach Doug Butler and coach Danny Weed of Flagler Palm Coast have been named two of the twenty-five finalists for the Brooks 2013 Most Inspiring Coach of the Year award. The were chosen out of thousands of nominees from around the country.
Coach Butler has been coaching at Holy Trinity for the past thirteen years and has become the winningest coach in Florida high school history with seventeen team state championship and eight runner up finishes in track and field and cross country. For Butler, the sport isn't all about winning, it's about the the love of running, and sharing it with kids, instilling that same passion. Coaching at Holy Trinity, he has the ability to see the middle school aged kids grow until they are high school seniors. He says being named a finalist is truly an honor becaus no coaches go into the sport hoping to win awards.
"If they did I doubt they would find much success. Their priority would be on winning and my bet is they wouldn't have many kids on their team. If you go into coaching its because you love the sport and want to share that with kids. With that said, it is extremely humbling to be recognized for the work you do. Win or lose its an honor to be considered with some of the top coaches in the country."
The finalists each receive $5,000 in Brooks performance running footwear, apparel, and accessories for their team, $500 cash for team expenses (paid to the school athletic department or booster club), and membership into the Brooks Inspire Daily (I.D.) program for 2014. Butler says that is a lot of money that can benefit a lot of kids.
"The money for uniforms is incredible as I know every program could surely use that. We have 55-60 kids out for cross so it will be put to good use. I was stunned to hear that all the finalists got that for their teams. That's huge on the part of brooks."
Coach Danny Weed has served as an assistant coach at Matanzas for part f the past three seasons and most recently at Flagler Palm Coast. Like Butler, Weed is an avid runner and active with community road racing. He found out he was nominated through their local running group, Flagler County Runners, via Facebook. He says to make it to the top twenty-five of the Brooks Most Inspiring Coaches Award is beyond words.
"Just being nominated in it itself is such a huge honor. To me, that means my peers and the kids I coach respect and trust me, that what I have to offer has helped them succeed in their own goals."
Weed is also a huge proponent of the Brooks brand and he isn't just saying that. Just about every photo of the FPC coach running is in Brooks gear and has been wearing it since he was in highschool in the late 80's and early 90's. He says their ability to give back says a lot about a company that cares so much about this sport.
"The gear and money for expenses will lift a huge weight off our teams shoulders. This will allow our kids to concentrate more on making the team and themselves reach their potential, instead of concentrating on fundraising."
The running community can vote by simply liking the Brooks Facebook page and picking who you think is the most deserving. Voting closes on Sunday July 21st and the winner will be announced on August 7th, 2013. The 2013 Brooks Inspiring Coach of the Year will win receive their prize for being a finalist as well as an additional $2000 in cash and a trip for two to the 2014 Brooks PR Invitational. You can vote once a day. So get on it and show the coaches in our area your support!