Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘Coach of the Year’

Yes, this photo of Mike Duke is from 2019, but cute babies always get page hits, so whatcha gonna do? (Photos courtesy Duke)

Modern-day Duke with soccer players from Rogers High School.

Mike Duke is kind of a big deal.

During his time in Cow Town, the 2006 Coupeville High School grad was a five-sport athlete, one of the ringleaders of the loudest student section in the land, and a future star of podcasts and TV commercials.

And now he’s getting mad props for his work as a soccer coach.

Duke currently patrols the pitch sidelines in Spokane, coaching the girls soccer squad at Rogers High School.

The Pirates play in the 2A classification of the Greater Spokane League, and Duke was recently honored as the Coach of the Year.

He was joined in being honored by two of his players, with defender JoeAnna Avila tabbed as a First-Team All-Conference pick.

Goalkeeper Lylliana Wise was named to the league’s Second-Team.

After finishing his own successful run as a high school booter, Duke moved into coaching, and has worked with both boys and girls teams.

He’s also coached unified basketball and soccer teams.

During his Coupeville days, Duke played basketball, football, baseball, and soccer, then did one season of track as a senior, just “for funsies.”

He and platonic life mate Will Butela, who are both in the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, went from headlining in the CHS stands at games to operating a podcast as The Fun Brothers.

The duo has also appeared in several commercials, including a long-running Major League Baseball promotion.

Read Full Post »

CHS and CMS spring coaches (l to r, top to bottom): Elizabeth Bitting, Mike Etzell, Jon Gabelein, Steve Hilborn, Lincoln Kelley, Randy King, Aaron Lucero, Bob Martin, Kyle Nelson.

Justine McGranahan, Kevin McGranahan, Neil Rixe, Chris Smith, Ken Stange, Greg Thomas, Robert Wood, Ron Wright, Morgan Young.

Time to rally the troops and storm the voting booth.

With school sports in a bit of a slowdown this week, thanks to spring break, the real excitement returns.

Yes, it’s that time when a completely imaginary award throws everyone into a tizzy.

You work at your craft, hone your teaching skills, change lives, bring glory to your school … and then a silly little poll decides your worth as a coach.

Or not.

Ultimately, it’s about getting David plenty of page views. We all know the truth.

Be that as it may, it’s time to send 18 Coupeville spring sports coaches into the arena, and wait and see who’s willing to wear their thumbs down in pursuit of fleeting internet glory.

The rules are simple – there are none.

The poll goes live Tuesday, Apr. 2 at 8 AM and, 48 hours later, 8 AM Thursday, it closes.

Vote as many times as you like. Ballot box stuffing is not only allowed, it’s encouraged.

Shamelessly hustle for support or ignore my poll completely, your choice.

When it’s all over, one coach will emerge with a warm glow in their chest, while others might have a little angina.

Either way, the world will go on.

Read Full Post »

CHS girls hoops coach David King. (John Fisken photo)

CHS girls hoops coach David King. (John Fisken photo)

They like him. They really like him.

Coupeville High School girls basketball coach David King was named Coach of the Year by his fellow Olympic League round-ball gurus when All-League voting was conducted.

King, with the help of assistant coach/wife/team mom/wind beneath his wings Amy, led the Wolves to their third-straight league title this season.

CHS finished 15-6 overall, 9-0 in conference play.

Under King, the Coupeville varsity girls are 27-0 all-time in Olympic League play, with 24 of those wins coming by double digits.

He’s the second CHS coach honored by his colleagues during the 2016-2017 school year, following in the footsteps of Wolf volleyball head man Cory Whitmore.

Read Full Post »