|
2007 Coaches Sportmanship Award |
|
Colleen Eckel recently was awarded an award and recognition for her work in high school gymnastics for the past 25 years. She received this award at the OHSAA State Gymnastics Championship meet in Columbus on March 3, 2007.
Each year, all 24 of the Ohio High School Athletic Association sanctioned sports and the four allied professional organizations can recognize and honor one of their members, with an OHSAA Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity (SEI) Award. The recipients are selected by the directors or executive committees of the respective coaches or allied organizations. Individuals selected should reflect the values of sportsmanship, ethics and integrity in all their professional responsibilities.
The Ohio High School Gymnastics Coaches Association has selected Colleen Eckel as its 2007-2007 SEI Award Recipient. Eckel who works with several high school teams in the Canton area, was honored at the gymnastics state tournament in March 2007.
“I am very appreciative to receive this award”, Eckel said. “It means everything to me to be recognized for my contributions to high school gymnastics in the state of Ohio”.
“I began working in with area high schools over 25 years ago. My mentor was Faye Keller, who spearheaded high school gymnastics in the Canton area. She convinced me that the future of the sport depended on supporting our high school gymnasts and keeping them in the sport. She was right because so many of them received well deserved recognition for their dedication to this challenging sport and they gave back by becoming coaches themselves. This has kept the sport alive and well in our area.”
Colleen competed herself with the American Turners Club in Beaver Falls, PA. She went on to compete on the first collegiate women’s team at Penn State University before moving to Ohio and continuing her involvement in gymnastics.
After starting a gymnastics program at a local YWCA, Colleen opened her own gymnastics business and, after having six children, settled in at the North Canton YMCA, where she has worked for nearly 25 years.
As a coach, Eckel has worked with approximately 15 high school teams, of which most do not belong to organized leagues. With the help of her staff, many of the gymnasts have represented their schools in various competitions and tournaments.
“As most of these girls have also been members of our YMCA team, they have functioned as one large team of independents of OHSAA tournaments”, Eckel said. “It is a tribute to their integrity to see these students and their families show outstanding sportsmanship by rooting for each other regardless of school affiliation. It has also been rewarding to see these young women share in the passion I have for the sport of gymnastics”.
“While I would like to thank my staff, all the gymnasts I’ve coached over the years, and my fellow coaches, I also want to give a special thanks for my husband, Jim, and my children for being so understanding of me and my addiction to gymnastics. They let me be me, and I could not ask for a better gift.” |
|
7241 Whipple Ave. North Canton, Ohio 44720 330-498-4082 Fax: 330-498-4084 |
|
|