Coach of the Year Awards#
USA Triathlon Coach of the Year #
Each year, USA Triathlon recognizes the best in coaching by honoring USA Triathlon Certified Coaches as USA Triathlon Coach of the Year award winners. The USA Triathlon Coach of the Year Awards are your chance to say thank you and recognize someone who helped you achieve your goal, learn something new, or become the person you want to be through triathlon. Coach candidates are selected in eight prestigious award categories:
- Olympic Coach of the Year
- Paralympic Coach of the Year
- Developmental Coach of the Year
- Volunteer Coach of the Year
- Community Impact Award
- Service Provider of the Year
- NCAA Coach of the Year
- Coach Educator of the Year
Category winners are determined by a USA Triathlon selection panel of coaching and sport education professionals. Not all categories are awarded each year.
Coach of the Year Nominations #
Nomination submission is currently OPEN. Please submit nominations via this survey. Nominations are due Sept. 30, 2022.
- Nominees must be a current USA Triathlon Certified Coach
- You may nominate a coach based on their accomplishments from their full coaching career
- Winners are selected based on their honors/recognition, performance of the athletes they coach, as well as service to the sport, athlete testimony and coaching character.
Changes made starting last year: #
- Prior to 2021, the nominating period had been the current calendar year, however, USA Triathlon now feels that the full coaching career of the nominee should be considered, as often one successful year is not a result of many years of experience.
- USA Triathlon Certified Coaches are not allowed to “self-nominate” themselves. All nominations must come from associates, colleagues, et.al. of the nominee.
- Nominations must be submitted by Sept. 30, 2022
- Award winning coaches will not be eligible for an award in the same category for three years. Example: A coach wins for 2022, he/she will not be able to earn the same award until Jan. 1, 2026
Past Winners #
To be nominated, a candidate must be a current USA Triathlon Certified Coach. Winners are selected based on their honors/recognition, performance of the athletes they coach, as well as service to the sport, athlete testimony and coaching character.
2021 Coach of the Year Winners #
- Developmental Coach of the Year – Wesley Johnson
- Olympic Coach of the Year – Ian O'Brien
- Service Provider of the Year – Erin Carson
- Coach Educator of the Year – Christine Palmquist
- Community Impact Award – Dave Sheanin
2020 Coach of the Year Winners #
- Volunteer Coach of the Year: Dan Englehard
- Developmental Coach of the Year: James Petersen
- Coach Educator of the Year: Shelly O'Brien and Brian Grasky
- Community Impact Award: Stephanie Grasky and Marcus Fitts
Requirements for Each Category #
1) Olympic Coach of the Year #
Nominee must be a coach of a national-level team, or the coach of an elite athlete who competes at the highest level of his/her sport.
What are we looking for?
- Examples of performance highlights, significant or historic achievements, win-loss record, awards received, etc.
- Examples of national or international achievements by the athletes being coached
- Examples of how the coach has positively impacted athletes, colleagues, NGB staff, parents, other coaches
2) Paralympic Coach of the Year #
Nominee must be a coach of a national-level team, or the coach of an elite athlete who competes at the highest level of his/her sport.
What are we looking for?
- Evidence of performance highlights, significant or historic achievements, win-loss record, awards received, etc.
- Examples of national or international achievements by the athletes being coached
- Examples of how the coach has positively impacted athletes, colleagues, NGB staff, parents, other coaches
- Examples of creativity and innovation in continued support of athletes through the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. significant projects implemented, creative adaptations to coaching, digital transformation, social innovation, entrepreneurship, etc.)
3) Developmental Coach of the Year #
Nominee must be coaching at the youth club, high school or junior level, or a coach who is directly responsible for training athletes to reach the junior and/or elite level.
What are we looking for?
- Examples of how the coach provides developmentally appropriate skills and drills, and supports development of basic skills for young athletes through fun and engagement
- Examples of how the coach has impacted or supported holistic athlete development (i.e. personal and social development, health and wellbeing and educational attainment) -Evidence of performance highlights, significant or historic achievements, win-loss record, awards received, etc.
- Examples of creativity and innovation in continued support of athletes through the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. significant projects implemented, creative adaptations to coaching, digital transformation, social innovation, entrepreneurship, etc.)
4) Volunteer Coach of the Year #
Nominee must be a coach who does not receive payment in any form for his/her involvement in coaching at any level.
What are we looking for?
- Examples of the impact the coach has had on widening access to the sport through coaching, community and parent engagement
- Examples of how the coach provides developmentally appropriate skills and drills, and brings FUN to the sport
- Examples of creativity and innovation in continued support of athletes through the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. significant projects implemented, creative adaptations to coaching, digital transformation, social innovation, entrepreneurship, etc.)
5) College Coach of the Year #
Nominee must be a coach at the NCAA level.
What are we looking for?
- Evidence of performance highlights, significant or historic achievements, win-loss record, awards received, etc.
- Examples of national achievements by the athletes/teams being coached
- Examples of how the coach has positively impacted athletes, colleagues, staff, parents, other coaches
- Examples of creativity and innovation in continued support of athletes through the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. significant projects implemented, creative adaptations to coaching, digital transformation, social innovation, entrepreneurship, etc.)
6) Service Provider of the Year #
Nominee must be an NGB/HPMO affiliated service provider such as a strength and conditioning coach, physical therapist, sport psychologist, dietician, or other that has made an impact in your NGB.
What are we looking for?
- Examples of activities or accomplishments that have brought distinction to the NGB (i.e. performance highlights, significant or historic achievements, award received, etc.)
- Examples of positive impact to wellbeing or performance of athletes
- Examples of creativity and innovation in continued support of athletes through the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. significant projects implemented, creative adaptations to coaching, digital transformation, social innovation, entrepreneurship, etc.)
7) Coach Educator of the Year #
Nominee must be a Coach Educator or ADM Sport Educator that has made an impact in the Coaching Education space. **Nominations for other NGBs/HPMOs, your own NGB/HPMO staff, and self-nominations will be accepted for this award.
What are we looking for?
- Examples of developing and delivering quality coaching structures, qualifications, and education programs for coaches in the sport
- Examples of activities or accomplishments that have brought distinction to the NGB (i.e. performance highlights, significant or historic achievements, awards received, continued education, etc.)
- Examples of creativity and innovation in continued support of athletes and coaches through the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. significant projects implemented, creative adaptations to coaching education, digital transformation, social innovation, entrepreneurship, etc.)
8) Community Impact Award #
Nominee must be a coach who has demonstrated significant impact in their community and epitomizes the USA Triathlon mission of growing and inspiring the triathlon community.
What are we looking for?
- Examples of how this coach has impacted their community? What did they do? Who did they impact?
- Examples of how the coach lives out the USA Triathlon mission of growing and inspiring the triathlon community.
Submit Your Coach of the Year Award NominationsNomination submission is currently OPEN. Please submit nominations via this survey.