The Riverwood Athletic Association (RAA) hosted their first annual RAA Coaches Dinner & Awards Presentation on September 21, 2016 at Heritage Sandy Springs. The RAA honored and recognized Raider coaches for their years of service to the school, and presented the 2016 Coach of the Year Award.
Buck Jenkins, Boys Varsity Basketball coach, won the 2016 Coach of the Year award (photo right with guest speaker Joe Ehrmann). Coach Jenkins received this recognition for his outstanding service and dedication in mentoring and developing the character of student athletes, and for contributions to the greater Riverwood community. Jenkins led the 2015-16 Boys Varsity Basketball team to the 7-AAAAA Region Championship and on to the State Elite Eight tournament.
The State Championship Coaching Award went to Boys Soccer Coach Jeff Welp. Coach Welp joined the Raider family in 2014 and quickly turned the Boys Soccer Team into a nationally recognized program. Compiling a 34-5-4 record over the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Welp led the Boys Soccer team to a State Championship (2016), a Region Championship (2016), and two Final Four appearances (2015 & 2016).
Additionally, Service Awards went to 16 coaches with five or more years on the Raider staff. Two coaches, Leigh Hudson and Issac Seals, received the most distinguished honor, the 25 Year Service Award. Coach Hudson has been a critical part of the Raider staff since 1991, leading an array of both Boys and Girls teams. In recognition of her vital role in shaping so many student athletes throughout her tenure, the RAA inducted Coach Hudson into the Riverwood Athletic Hall of Fame in the fall of 2013. Coach Seals (photo - below left - accepting his award from RAA President Alan Owens) began his Raider career in 1990, serving primarily the Cross Country and Track & Field teams. He was inducted into the Riverwood Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014 and has been named the Fulton County Coach of the Year several times.
The evening included a presentation by former NFL football player and best-selling author, Joe Ehrmann (photo below right). Ehrmann, a longtime member of the Baltimore Colts organization, is co-founder of Coach for America. Coach for America promotes InSideOut Coaching, a nationwide coaching and leadership program. In his remarks, Ehrmann acknowledged the unique role and the tremendous impact high school coaches have on student-athletes. He encouraged the teachers and coaches in the audience to take on the challenge of becoming "transformational" leaders instead of merely "transactional" coaches. Ehrmann's message both inspired and renewed the coaches, from the newest to the most seasoned veterans. Thanks to the RAA, each coach received a signed copy of Ehrmann's book, InSideOut Coaching: How Sports Can Transform Lives.
Response to the inaugural dinner and speaker has been positive:
"Great event. Very well run. The speaker was fantastic. Thank you!"
"Thank you for bringing such an inspirational speaker."
"The event brought the Riverwood coaching community and RAA parents together for an evening of fellowship and community and laid a great foundation to help build the coaching community and athletics at Riverwood."
"It was a great event and very much appreciated."
Complete list of 2016 Awards:
The 2016 Coach of the Year Award: Buck Jenkins, Head Coach Boys Basketball
The 2016 Championship Coaching Award: Jeff Welp, Head Coach Boys Soccer
5 YEARS
Adam Beckman – Boys Soccer
Tony Brown – Football
Oscar Guerrero – Football/Boys Basketball/Boys Soccer
Buck Jenkins – Boys Basketball
Carlos Martinez – Baseball
Scott Robinson – Boys Basketball
Wayne Schmidt – Football
David Shainker – Boys Tennis
Tricia Ward - Girls Tennis
10 YEARS
Sandra Bradley – Girls Soccer
James Brown – Football/Boys Basketball
Mike Mezzio – Boys Basketball
15 YEARS
Desmond Atwell – Baseball
Mike Santoro – Baseball
25 YEARS
Leigh Hudson, Volleyball (and others)
Isaac Seals, Cross Country/Track & Field
