Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports

The Coaches Comment June 2023

Helen McCall Coach of the Year Nominations

Every year the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports honors an outstanding coach with the Helen McCall Coach of the Year Award. We are looking for nominations for this great honor.

Nomination criteria:

· Must be a current coach of a girls' sport (officials and athletic directors may also be nominated)

· A person who promotes good sportsmanship, promotes the total student-athlete,

and is a positive role model for the female athlete

· A person who is actively involved in increasing his/her knowledge of athletics

· A person who has been active for a minimum of 10 years (Her/his career in athletics may have been at a variety of schools or levels)

The coach that you nominate need not be a state champion but a coach who gives his/her athletes a strong athletic foundation emphasizing loyalty, perseverance, sportsmanship, and commitment to team and self. He/she should be an unselfish giver to the team, the school, and teams or programs throughout the state. Please send your nomination to Laura Fischer, Event Coordinator at ljfischer100@comcast.net If you have questions, please call Laura at 303-909-9221.

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CCGS Hall of Fame Nominations

The Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1979 to honor persons who have dedicated their lives promoting girls' and women’s sports in Colorado. As a member of CCGS, you can nominate someone who has helped to develop girls' and women’s athletic opportunities in your community and throughout the state of Colorado. Hall of Fame members must have been an active member of CCGS or worked with CCGS in their athletic endeavors.

Nominate today by sending an email to Laura Fischer, Events Coordinator at ljfischer100@comcast.net. Nominations should include why you believe this person is deserving of Hall of Fame status. Please include the school affiliation of the nominee, the sports he/she impacted as well as the nominee’s email, address, and phone number.

You may know someone who has spent endless hours or timeless energy building athletic programs for females. For younger members, review your mentors; and more experienced members review your colleagues. Help us honor those who have carried the torch for girl’s athletics in Colorado.

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Congratulations to the 2023 CCGS Ruby Miller Scholarship Winners

KAITLYN HALL, Falcon HS, Peyton. Kaitlyn has concentrated on volleyball as her high school sport of choice and has been named second team, All-State; All-Conference, three years; team captain, three years; and league champion, two years. She is a hard-working student and will graduate from high school with 33 credits toward her college degree. She plans to attend and play volleyball at CSU-Pueblo and eventually become a physician’s assistant. Her past experience coaching developmental girls’ club volleyball has excited her about sharing her knowledge and love of the sport with young athletes.

KALLY KIRKWOOD, Fleming HS. Kally has experienced state level competition in three sports. Competing in volleyball, her team at Fleming was state champion three times; basketball, state second place; and, in track, she is a school recordholder in the 4x100 m and 4x200 m relays. Kally will play volleyball at Chadron State (NE) and plans to major in nutrition. She wants to work with athletes on their diets. She plans to coach girls and help them grow as individuals. “While coaching, not only will I be able to enjoy coaching the kids in the skills of the sport, but I will also get to teach them important life lessons about teamwork and tenacity.”

SELENA PORTILLO, Adams City HS, Commerce City. Selena’s high school athletic career has centered on the CHSAA expanding sport of cheer. She made the varsity cheer team at Adams City as a sophomore and competed and participated for the next three years serving as captain as a senior. Selena plans to attend CU Denver and hopes to be a part of their cheer team. While majoring in business (marketing), Selena also plans to come back to Adams City and assist with the cheer team there. She wants to be sure the cheer team sees themselves as true athletes and help them develop a love for cheerleading. She would eventually like to own her own gym.

JENSEN RENQUIST, Julesburg HS. Jensen is a three-sport athlete who was captain of the volleyball and basketball teams in her senior year. All-State and All-Conference in all three sports (add track), state champion volleyball team her junior season, CCGS All-State as a senior, a school record in the 4x400 m relay, and shooting a CHSAA all-class record for free throws made in a single game (24 of 26) are her most impressive honors. No. 1 in her class, she will attend UNC to major in math. She sees herself in the future as a secondary teacher/coach encouraging her students to develop a love of learning and an impeccable work ethic.

ANDREA SCHISSLER, Platte Valley HS, Kersey. Another talented athlete, Andrea captained her volleyball team to a volleyball state championship in 2022, and she was also named All-State. Her favorite sport is basketball where she was also captain, All-State, and won back-to-back 3A state championships in her sophomore and junior years. Her FBLA advisor lauds her exceptional leadership qualities and volunteerism. She leads by example and is a hard worker. Andrea will major in physical education and plans to teach PE and coach basketball. She wants to have a positive impact on girls’ lives as her coaches have had on her.

KENNEDY VALLEJOS, McClave HS, Lamar. Kennedy appreciates the countless lessons learned and friends made during her competitive sports experiences since childhood. She has lettered in volleyball, basketball, and track and been to state in all three sports. She will attend Ft. Hays State University and major in early childhood education. Kennedy already has worked with children, coaching 5th and 6th grade basketball as a volunteer. In desiring to coach, Kennedy realizes she wants “... kids to get better at the sport but also understand the benefits of being a good person, getting along with others, learning how to trust, and many other life lessons.”

Congratulations to the 2023 CHSAA Girls' Spring Sports State Champions

Hello Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports State Champions!

We hope this letter finds you well. We are excited to acknowledge you and your team’s success. As a leader in your respective area, you have invested, guided, and ensured opportunity for those you serve as a coach. You have the gifts and fortune to make a difference in the lives of your female athletes. We are all coaches of girls’ sports and know that coaching female athletes is different. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it is more challenging, but it takes a special person to do what you do. You trained, pushed your athletes to be their best, and wouldn’t let them settle. That is what Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports do.

Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports is a non-profit organization helping promote the female athlete in the state of Colorado. Last year, we celebrated 52 years of CCGS and 50 years of Title IX. CCGS continues to grow and evolve while continuing with our goals set in 1970 to become a more valued asset in the coach’s toolbox and athlete’s experience. Our goals include:

1. Provide equal representation for the female athletes in the state of Colorado.

2. Provide statewide communication to all middle, junior, and senior high school coaches involved in girls’ athletics.

3. Provide additional state-sanctioned All-State Games for senior girls.

Obviously, CCGS has been an integral part of promoting the female athlete and those who choose to coach them. We host All-State games for Softball, Volleyball, and Basketball because groups of coaches have stepped up to organize and host the games. We work collaboratively with CHSAA in support of educationally-based athletics. This is why we are celebrating all sports with female participants and those who coach them. Congratulations to all the teams and coaches who completed their winter seasons. In particular, we recognize all the teams who qualified for state and those who captured that amazing state championship. On behalf of the Board of Directors and members of the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports, thank you for all you do, and we wish you continued success.

2023 CHSAA Spring Team Champions and Coaches

Golf

3A St. Mary's Academy, Ann Wolta Blackstone

4A Erie, Brandon Bird

5A Valor Christian, Justen Byler

Lacrosse

4A Mead, Katie Coleman

5A Colorado Academy, Sonorah Hunter

Soccer

2A Colorado Springs Christian, Jason Rollins

3A Jefferson Academy, Matt Cassell

4A Dakota Ridge, John Cassidy