JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – February 27, 2019 – Last night, the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast honored 10 youth sports coaches at the 9th Annual Y-Bash with the Coach of the Year Award. Held at the University of North Florida Lazzara Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, Feb. 26, the Y is excited to recognize coaches from multiple branches for their hard work and dedication to youth development.
The recipients of the Coach of the Year Award include:
Keith Johnson (McArthur Y in Fernandina Beach)
LaMarsha Watkins (Johnson Y in Northwest Jacksonville)
Teontia Gentry (Winston Y in Riverside)
Jared Sandoval (St. Augustine Y)
Todd Kornahrens (Ponte Vedra Y)
Francisco Vazquez (Pacetti Bay Middle School in St. Johns County)
Henry Moore (Williams Y in Mandarin)
Josh Schellete (Brooks Y on the Southside)
Matt Leonard (Dye Clay Y in Orange Park)
Rob Kroggel (Barco-Newton Y in Fleming Island)
“The Y aims to nurture the potential of every child and teen through a variety of programs and services such as youth sports,” said Eric K. Mann, First Coast YMCA President and CEO. “Our youth coaches are as passionate about the game, as they are helping our children discover who they are and what they can achieve.”
Our coaches at the First Coast Y leverage the excitement and passion around recreational and competitive programming to create a healthy outlet for children to gain life skills, build character, develop a sense of team and connect with positive role models. Programs include soccer, volleyball, flag football, basketball, cheerleading, gymnastics, martial arts, triathlon training and tennis.
In 2018, the Y’s youth sports All-Star basketball teams won 18 championship tournaments across Florida and teams in the Y’s Elite Volleyball Club won gold bracket in 4 tournaments.
YMCA of Florida’s First Coast recognizes its staff, volunteers and community partners annually at the Y-Bash, an event celebrating their community impact through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. At this year’s event, the Y announced its funding priorities for the following year and its goal to raise $1.75 million. The Y’s four funding priorities are:
Safety Around Water
Uplifting Teens
Supporting Our Military
Hunger Relief
###
Media Contact
Maddie Milne, Dalton Agency
P 904.398.5222 C 828.781.6219
E mmilne@daltonagency.com
About the First Coast YMCA
For more than 110 years, YMCA of Florida’s First Coast has been providing men, women and children of all ages, and from all walks of life, opportunities to build stronger bonds, live healthy and become more engaged with their communities. Learn more: fcymca.org.
