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Most Caring Coach Nominate a great YOUTH COACH Do you have a sports mentor who goes beyond the call of duty, on and off the field? Send us the details. ITS that time again! USA WEEKEND will honor the dedicated individuals who help young athletes achieve excellence both on and off the play ing field. The Most Caring Coach Awards, co-sponsored by the World Sports Hu manitarian Hall of Fame, honor out standing men and women who, through schools or youth recreation programs, go far beyond typical coaching duties to make a difference in the lives of kids and communities. Our judges will select three honorees, whom you’ll meet in a spring issue of USA WEEKEND. OUR 2008 JUDGES: • Bob Bradley, U.S. men’s national soccer team coach • Kelly Amonte Hiller, Northwestern University women’s lacrosse coach • Clint Hurdle, manager of the MLB’s Colorado Rockies • Larry Maneely, president of the board of the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame • Ken Whisenhunt, head coach of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals • Suzanne Yoculan, University of Georgia women’s gymnastics coach Winners will be acknowledged at the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame’s awards dinner in Boise in June 2008. Each will receive SI,OOO for his or her team or favorite charity. Clint Hurdle, manager of the National League champion Colorado Rockies and one of our 2008 Most Caring Coach Awards judges, is well known in the w'orld of baseball for good works. Under his leadership, the Rockies won 21 of 22 18 USA WEEKEND • Dec 14-16,2007 postseason games to earn a trip to this year’s World Seines, but Hurdle also makes time to volunteer for several charities. He makes frequent visits to the Children’s Hospital in Den ver every year (he dressed up as Santa Claus last Christ- mas), spent a Thanks giving feeding the home less in downtown Den ver and is a national spokesman for Prader- Willi syndrome, a ge netic disorder that af fects his daughter, Madi son. “I want to use the opportunity I have as a leader to make a differ ence, to pick projects that are important to me and make the biggest impact I can,” Hurdle says. “I’m not looking for recogni- tion it’s not about what you get back. Just go into it with an open heart. There is so much joy in serving rather than being served.” Hurdle’s desire to give back comes from lessons his parents taught, but several of his own youth coaches also taught him about the kind of leader he wanted to become. He still keeps in touch with Jerry Hawkins, his elemen tary school coach, and says Hawkins, plus several high school coaches Gerald Odom and Travis Akins in foot ball and Chuck Goldfarb in baseball “really brought coaching into a clearer light.” These mentors showed Hurdle that coaching as a profession requires a i vt # < i j? Those coaches took the time and showed me how I want to do it” Hurdle focuses on three things with his team: honesty, consistency and in tegrity. He says he is honest with his players above all else. Consistency is crucial so that athletes can rely on nor malcy, planning and preparation. Hurdle says integrity is essential as a leader. “I always try to set the best example possible,” he says. “Athletes, whether they’re pros or student ath letes or young kids, are looking up to you for guidance and leadership, so there needs to be action that stands behind your words.” ca Kathy Rowings Rockies manager Clint Hurdle hugs Kazuo Matsui after a postseason win that led up to the 2007 World Series. Hurdle is an MCC judge. real commitment “So often, coaching gets jammed in,” he says. “People want to do the right thing, and coach ing is certainly one of the good things, but you need to take the time to do it right. HOW TO ENTER Please describe what makes your coach exceptional, in 250 words or less. You may send news clippings or other supporting materials, but they can’t be returned. The nomination must include: 1) Coach's name, daytime phone number and e-mail address; 2) Coach's team/activity; 3) Your name, phone number and e-mai! address; 4) Your address, city, state and ZIP code; and 5) The name of the newspaper in which you read USA WEEKEND Magazine. NOMINATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY FEB. 1,2008. MAIL TO: % USA WEEKEND Most Caring Coach, USA WEEKEND 7950 Jones Branch Dr. McLean, Va. 22107 Or enter online by Feb. 1,2008, at usaweekendxom. Employees of Gannett and USA WEEKEND carrier newspapers, as we* as their family members, are ineligible. Honorees must sign a release. Entries become the property of USA WEEKEND Magazine and will not be returned PORTRAIT: JCf F GROSS, GETTY, WITH MATSUI: STEVE DYKES, GETTY