Buffalo, N.Y. – Project Play Western New York is recognizing youth sports coaches from across all eight counties of Western New York and has named 18 coaches to its 2022 Coaches Honor Roll following a community-wide nomination process. Each coach honored this year exemplifies the qualities of a great sports coach who is youth development focused, promotes sportsmanship among their athletes and families, and demonstrates leadership within their organization and the values that align with Project Play WNY. All of the coaches will be honored at an event on October 16, 2022.
The 2022 coaches being recognized are:
- Nick Ardino, Kenan Center Sports & Recreation
- Meg Bellomo, Clarence Soccer Club
- Travis Bensink, Maryville Little League
- Izeal Bullock III, Urban Throwers United
- Andrae Clarke, Clarence Soccer Club
- Darrell Glover, L.A Sports Club
- Isaiah Graham, Chautauqua Lake Football
- Sarah Hamdan, City Swim Project
- Marcus Harris, North Cheektowaga Athletic Association
- Dave Hartley, Williamsville Junior Football & Cheer
- Jeff Joseph, 716 Herd
- Sunjay Kapoor, Kenan Center Sports & Recreation
- Patti Nabinger, City Swim Project
- Willie Price, Niagara Track & Field Club
- Robert Schmidle, Elma Marilla Wales Soccer
- Cory Sloan, Hertel Shoshone Youth Baseball
- Garrett Timms, Delaware Soccer Club
- Melissa Zakrajsek, Westfield Golden Hawks
Additionally, Peter Savage, West Side Baseball & Ponytail League, will receive the Dick Gallagher Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual who has used their platform as a youth sports coach or youth sports organization leader to support, recognize and advocate for youth athletes both on and off the field. Peter has been serving the community as a coach for the past 50 years with the focus of teaching youth to have confidence, leadership skills and creating lifelong athletes.
“The individuals named to Project Play WNY’s 2022 Coaches Honor Roll exemplify the qualities of a great youth sports coach— one who is focused on youth development, promotes sportsmanship, and demonstrates leadership within their organization,” said Daycia Clarke, Director, Project Play WNY. “These values align with those of Project Play WNY, and that a quality youth sports experience can build happier children, healthier families and stronger communities.”
For more information on the Coaches Honor Roll Event, visit projectplaywny.org.
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About Project Play WNY
Project Play WNY is driven and funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s Youth Sports & Recreation focus area in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. It is a collective impact model that includes 87 individuals who are focused on ensuring all WNY kids have the opportunity to be active through sport. For more information, visit projectplaywny.org.
About the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo
For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at cfgb.org.
About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s devotion to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his Buffalo Bills franchise. Prior to his passing in 2014, Mr. Wilson requested that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a life-long generosity of spirit by funding the foundation that bears his name. The foundation has a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires January 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Mr. Wilson’s desire for the foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information, visit www.rcwjrf.org.