Armstead named USBC David Dahms Coach of the Year
December 21, 2009
Donald Armstead of Philadelphia, a USBC Silver coach who is co-founder and president of the Gehris Junior Bowling League, has been selected to receive the 2010 United States Bowling Congress David Dahms Coach of the Year Award by the USBC Youth Committee.
Named in honor of David Dahms, who was an instrumental leader in the creation of what is now known as the USBC Junior Gold program, the award annually recognizes a USBC-certified coach who has been actively involved in a USBC Youth program and has demonstrated outstanding commitment to coaching, sportsmanship and knowledge of USBC Youth rules for the last seven or more years.
"People frequently receive awards because they have great people around them. This is no exception," said Armstead, 53, a teacher in the Philadelphia school district. "During my travels, I have been fortunate to meet many inspirational people who give selflessly of their time and other resources. Winning this award after meeting and working with these people leads me to feel a strange exaltation - a combination of pride, elation and humbleness for the personal recognition.
"I would like to publicly thank my former bowling students who took the time and effort required to collaborate on writing a recommendation for me."
Armstead and his wife, Barbara, who also is a USBC Silver coach, started the Gehris League in 1995. The league, which has 16 coaches plus a group of parent volunteers, has been filled for the last 13 seasons - the league has a maximum of about 90 bowlers - and has a waiting list each year.
"What made coach Armstead stand out as a great coach was not his bowling skills, but his love for people," Austin Tidwell, who attends Indiana University of Pennsylvania, wrote in his recommendation. "His passion for helping someone made him stand out. He was always available if a student needed somebody to trust and to talk to."
In addition to his work with the Gehris League, Armstead is in his first year as program director for the Philadelphia Public High School Bowling League after serving as league secretary the past few years. There are 40 teams in the varsity high school program, and the league is working on several programs to teach coaches and to help kids who cannot afford bowling equipment.
He also serves as the Southeast Pennsylvania USBC Association Director and is a Junior Gold tournament coordinator.
Armstead will be presented the David Dahms Coach of the Year Award during the USBC Convention, April 28-May 1 in Reno, Nev. To learn more about USBC awards and this year's USBC Convention, visit the USBC Convention page.
Named in honor of David Dahms, who was an instrumental leader in the creation of what is now known as the USBC Junior Gold program, the award annually recognizes a USBC-certified coach who has been actively involved in a USBC Youth program and has demonstrated outstanding commitment to coaching, sportsmanship and knowledge of USBC Youth rules for the last seven or more years.
"People frequently receive awards because they have great people around them. This is no exception," said Armstead, 53, a teacher in the Philadelphia school district. "During my travels, I have been fortunate to meet many inspirational people who give selflessly of their time and other resources. Winning this award after meeting and working with these people leads me to feel a strange exaltation - a combination of pride, elation and humbleness for the personal recognition.
"I would like to publicly thank my former bowling students who took the time and effort required to collaborate on writing a recommendation for me."
Armstead and his wife, Barbara, who also is a USBC Silver coach, started the Gehris League in 1995. The league, which has 16 coaches plus a group of parent volunteers, has been filled for the last 13 seasons - the league has a maximum of about 90 bowlers - and has a waiting list each year.
"What made coach Armstead stand out as a great coach was not his bowling skills, but his love for people," Austin Tidwell, who attends Indiana University of Pennsylvania, wrote in his recommendation. "His passion for helping someone made him stand out. He was always available if a student needed somebody to trust and to talk to."
In addition to his work with the Gehris League, Armstead is in his first year as program director for the Philadelphia Public High School Bowling League after serving as league secretary the past few years. There are 40 teams in the varsity high school program, and the league is working on several programs to teach coaches and to help kids who cannot afford bowling equipment.
He also serves as the Southeast Pennsylvania USBC Association Director and is a Junior Gold tournament coordinator.
Armstead will be presented the David Dahms Coach of the Year Award during the USBC Convention, April 28-May 1 in Reno, Nev. To learn more about USBC awards and this year's USBC Convention, visit the USBC Convention page.