Pinon coach wins positive coaching award

Posted by Cindy Yurth | May 26, 2016 | Sports |

File photo
Pinon volleyball coach Nellie McCurtain was recently awarded the “Double-Goal Coach” for the Phoenix Chapter of Positive Coaching Alliance.

CHINLE

Pinon High School’s head volleyball coach, Nellie McCurtain, is this year’s “Double-Goal Coach” for the Phoenix Chapter of the Positive Coaching Alliance.

The nationwide group promotes the twin goals of “Better Athletes, Better People.”

McCurtain was nominated by the school’s athletic director, Mark Gathmann, who wrote, “Mrs. McCurtain instills good sportsmanship, dedication, endless skills and tactics, community service projects, and leadership qualities into all of her players from freshmen level to varsity. Mrs. McCurtain runs a summer program, creates fundraising activities, and sponsors the volleyball club for the high school program.”

She’s also a winner. McCurtain led her squad to the Division V state championship in 2015. In the past four seasons, McCurtain has had two undefeated seasons, three sectional championships, and the school’s first team state championship this past fall.

McCurtain said she emphasizes discipline and leadership.

“That way they can find a leadership role and make a life for themselves after high school,” she said. “I make sure everything is very structured, and I’m an outgoing person who wants to meet all their needs. Whatever they may have problems with, I want to try to help them.”