With a May 19 awards dinner already on his plate as the recipient of the Alberta tier 2 high school football coach of the year, Kyle Sedgwick was pleasantly surprised Sunday at the Sheraton Convention Centre.
Sedgwick had no idea he was going to be honoured as the coach of the year during the Red Deer Community Sport Awards dinner.
“I was very surprised actually, especially when I heard the names of the other nominees and their accomplishments,” said Sedgwick, the head coach of the Hunting Hills Lightning football team for the last four years.
“It’s the first time I’ve been in this type of situation and I’m just very proud of our school and the program that we’ve built there and the culture that we’re creating at our school. So when I get an award like this I think of all the people who have come along and have helped our programs . . . the parents and coaches.”
Sedgwick beat out Red Deer Synchronized Swim Club mentor Annette Wegner and Red Deer minor softball coach Clayton Cassidy for the award.
“It’s nice to accept this award and once again it’s very humbling and very exciting,” said Sedgwick. “It would be easy to kind of shrug it if off a bit, but then I think about our players who have bought into what we’ve done there and the coaches and parents . . . the coaches and volunteers and includling those who were there in the early years. We’ve had a good run and I’m just very happy for our school that we’re on the map for high school football in Alberta.
“These kinds of awards help our program and the players who will be moving on to the next level because our program is one that’s known in the province now,” said Sedgwick.
Obviously, the Lightning coach is always looking for athletically-gifted players when he’s filling out his roster. But he’s also looking for other qualities.
“The last two years we’ve won the league sportsmanship award, which is strange for a team that finished at or near the top,” said the Hunting Hills sideline boss. l
“We preach that . . . we preach the culture and the brotherhood and we’re always looking at academics because I get reports on grades all year, not just the fist 3 months (football season). We keep on top of that, especially if players want to move on to university. We have to make sure the grades are there.
“It’s a year-round business but I consider it important to what I do and I love to see the kids succeed.”
The other finalists for the coach of the year award were Annette Wegner of the Red Deer Synchronized Swim Club and Clayton Cassidy of Red Deer Minor Softball.
The volunteer of the year award was shared by Glenn Pratt of the Red Deer BMX Club and Brian Johnson of the Red Deer Nordic Club, while long-time volleyball referee was honoured as the official of the year.
Dwayne Lalor was presented with the Kendal Dunkle Minor Coach of the Year award and the 2012 Canadian midget AAA hockey champion Red Deer Optimist Rebels were honoured as Red Deer’s team of the year, beating out the girls fastball Red Deer Rage and the RDC basketball Kings.
Other award winners:
Athlete recognition certificates (U12): Presley Bush, Makayla Michel (Red Deer figure skating); Ella Collins, Michael Robinson (Red Deer Tennis Club); Nicholas Cymbaluk, Lyndsay Hall (Red Deer BMX); Journey Flewell (Queens volleyball); Abby Meckling (RDC Queens volleyball); Kallan Packard, Mercedes Patrick, Red Deer Synchronized Swim Club; Keara Slimmon (Exelta Gymnastics); Athlete recognition certificates (U15): Hannah Bilsborrow (Exelta Gymnastics); Emma Dickman, Heather Mast (Red Deer Synchronized Swim Club); Bailey Johnson, Gavin Rittamer (Red Deer Nordic); Taylor Machoruk, Amy Nasewich (Red Deer figure skating); Zachary Olson (Red Deer minor baseball); Tereza Simonova (Red Deer Tennis Club); Jack Snape (Red Deer BMX); Youth official of the year: Blair Morgan (Red Deer minor hockey); Volunteer recognition certificates: Kathy Burkard (Red Deer minor softball); Lorae Couchman, Red Deer Lacrosse Association; Susan Dillabough, RDC Queens Volleyball Club; Deb Dyrland, Red Deer Runners; Brian Johnson, Red Deer Nordic; Susie Kasawal, Red Deer Synchronized Swim Club; Tanya Michel, Red Deer Skating Club; Paul Morigeau, Red Deer Renegades Soccer Club; Glenn Pratt, Red Deer BMX: George Reed, Red Deer Tennis Club; Al Schaefer, Red Deer Judo Club; Local business contributor of the year: Dairy Queen, Rob and Rhonda Hamill.