Badger Region announces Club Director of the Year and Coach of the Year award winners

Wednesday, June 1st, 2022

The Badger Region has many amazing coaches and club directors.

And if the quality of the candidates nominated for Coach and Club Director of the Year awards this season are any indication, our Region is in good hands for years to come.

The Badger Region began choosing Coach of the Year and Club Director of the Year winners at the conclusion of the 2018-19 season. The awards are part of the Badger Region’s partnership with the American Volleyball Coaches Association which is now in its fourth year.

During the pandemic, the Badger Region also began recognizing additional individuals via the Innovation Award and the Net Works award — both of which signify coaches or directors who find special ways to keep kids engaged in unique ways.

The Innovation Award features coaches who have found creative ways to connect with their teams, region colleagues, other clubs and other groups. Examples in years’ past include coaches coach who created a unique at-home training program, those who managed a special service project or found other ways to develop their teams virtually.

The Net Works Award are given to coaches who have demonstrated heroic and/or selfless acts this year. This award also is open to coaches and club directors who contribute to their communities via non-volleyball related activities.

This year’s winners:

  • G12-and-under Coach of the Year: Christina Schmitz (Madtown Juniors 121-Select)
  • G13/14 Coach of the Year: Debra Sazama (Xtreme Volleyball Club 13-Adidas)
  • G15/16 Coach of the Year: Mark Sullivan (Elevate VBC 16-Black)
  • G17/18 Coach of the Year: Michael Lopez (Capital Volleyball Academy 18-Adidas)
  • Boys Coach of the Year: Christopher Gabel (Revolution Volleyball Academy Boys 16-Navy)
  • Club Director of the Year: Adam Stikel (Southwest Milwaukee VBC)
  • Net Works Award: Amy Angels (Madtown Juniors)
  • Net Works Award: Kevin Fischer (Spiketown)
  • Innovation Award: Bob Hamm (Madison Elite)

Highlights

This year, the breakdown for nominations is as follows:

  • Club Director – 11 different club directors nominated a total of 35 times (nominated by parents & coaches)
  • Coaches – 26 different coaches nominated a total of 60 times (nominated by CD’s & parents)
  • A total of eight different Badger Region clubs are represented in this year’s class of award winners.
  • Most winners will be eligible for national AVCA awards.

Notes on winners

  • Amy Angelos – First year club director
  • Kevin Fischer – retiring club director
  • Adam Stikel – Celebrating 30 years as Director for Southwest VBC
  • Bob Hamm – longtime advocate for growing boys volleyball, especially in the Madison area.

Winners were chosen by a committee of Badger Region board members. Nominations are open for the yearly awards from April 1 to April 30. Have questions? Email scott@badgerarchive4.0ed61ed.netsolhost.com.

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