Printer Friendly Version - Barnes Nominated for 2018 National Coach of the Year Award

Old Saybrook boys’ soccer Head Coach Sam Barnes was recently nominated for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s National Coach of the Year Award. Barnes will attend a national convention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota this June. Photo courtesy of Trent Gerbers

Old Saybrook High School boys’ soccer Head Coach Sam Barnes has been nominated for the National Coach of the Year Award by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA).

The National Coach of the Year awards program uses a scoring rubric developed by members of the NHSACA board of directors—all of whom are coaches—that evaluates every nominee in six categories. The categories are: longevity, championship years, winning percentage, service, honors, and membership. Coach Barnes has advanced as one of eight finalists for the 2018 NHSACA National Coach of the Year Award.

This is a great honor and serves as recognition of the outstanding accomplishments of Coach Barnes, as well as his entire coaching staff at Old Saybrook, his athletes, the athletic department, school, and community throughout a period of many years.

“Coach Barnes puts his heart and soul into developing skilled student-athletes and respectful, tenacious young men who care about one another both on and off the field,” Old Saybrook High School Principal Sheila Riffle said.

During his tenure with Old Saybrook Public Schools, Coach Barnes has amassed 231 wins, 18 State Tournament appearances, and 13 Conference Tournament appearances. His teams have been a state finalist or semifinalist eight times. In addition, Coach Barnes has twice been named the Connecticut Soccer Coach Association Coach of the Year and was recently named the 2017 Coach of the Year by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association.

“Coach Barnes brings consistency to the district’s athletic department. He has a knack for getting the best out of his players, and the atmosphere he creates for our student athletes is consistent with the goals outlined in our strategic plan,” said Old Saybrook Superintendent Jan Perruccio.

Coach Barnes has been invited to attend the NHSACA national convention in Sioux Falls, South Dakota this June. During the convention, the eight national finalists will make presentations that will feature the elements of their programs that have created a successful environment for their athletes. They are also invited to the National Coach of the Year awards banquet, where they will be recognized as one of the eight finalists. Each finalist will go to the awards stand and receive a finalist plaque, while a biography of their accomplishments is read. At the conclusion of the banquet, the National Coach of the Year Award recipient in each sport will be announced.