Six individuals who have made an impact as exemplary role models have been selected as the 2014 Making A Difference Award recipients by the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) and the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA).
One recipient from each of the AHSAA’s six classifications was chosen from nominations submitted by AHSAA member schools and other support organizations. This year’s recipients are Jerome Sanders, J.F. Shields (1A); Amy Warrick, Goshen (2A); Steve Smith, Piedmont (3A); Rusty Bates, Ardmore (4A); Ron Smith, Brewer (5A); and Robby Parker (6A).
The six will be recognized at the Championship Coaches Banquet at the Renaissance Montgomery Convention Center July 25. The 6 p.m. event will close out the 2014 Summer Conference and All-Star Sports Week for member schools. The Officials’ Awards luncheon the following day at the Renaissance at 11:30 a.m. will officially close out the week.
The Making A Difference Award was established in 2011 by the AHSAA and AHSADCA to recognize individuals who go beyond their normal duties as a coach, teacher or administrator to make a positive impact in their schools and communities. This year’s recipients include one principal, one full-time athletic director, a head football coach, head boys’ basketball coach, head volleyball coach and head softball coach
“The recipients in this fourth Making A Difference class are tremendous role models for their students, faculty and community. They are indeed excellent examples of what this award stands for. Each has made a major difference in their communities and schools,” said AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese. “This award is the most important honor a professional educator in our state can receive.”
“Characteristics considered for this prestigious award include the recipient’s character, integrity and service, all of which have enabled these individuals to have a life-changing impact on the community or school.”
Savarese said this special award exemplifies what makes education-based sports so important.
“We are very proud of all our coaches, teachers and administrators,” he said. “This is one way we can honor them for the examples they set and the life lessons they teach on a daily basis.”
Smith was a standout quarterback who earned All-State honors as a senior in 1987 at Cherokee County High School in Centre. He then played football at Jacksonville State from 1988-91 and served as a graduate assistant on the 1992 national championship team at JSU.
Smith was hired at Cedar Bluff in 1995. During his tenure, the Tigers went 85-45 overall and won two area titles and four region crowns. He earned the reputation of developing smart quarterbacks and was one of the few coaches who allowed his quarterbacks to call the plays on the field – just like he did as a player.
Smith’s 1997 team ended the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record, completing the school’s first undefeated season since the storied days of Coach L.D. Bruce in the 1960s. His teams qualified for the playoffs each year except his first at Cedar Bluff.
At the age of 35, he accepted the position of head coach and athletic director at Piedmont High School in 2006. The Bulldogs won the school’s first state title in 2009 with a 35-28 victory over Cordova in the 3A finals and set a school record for wins with a 13-2 record. Last year his team reached the quarterfinals before falling in overtime to eventual state champ Madison Academy 34-33. His team went for two to win and came up just short.
However, it is that kind of confidence in his players that makes Smith one of the top football coaches in Alabama. They believe in him and the values that he teaches daily. His teams have won 10 or more games 12 times in 19 seasons, including the last seven in a row at Piedmont.
As AD he has seen the boys’ basketball team reach the Final 48, the boys’ track team win two straight outdoor titles and the baseball team go deep in the state playoffs each of the last two years. He is always present at Piedmont school events supporting the students and faculty. His wife coaches the school softball team.
A member of the AHSAA Football Coaches Committee, he is an advocate for high school small school athletics and is changing the lives of his players one kid at a time.