Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Helen Peña Recognized for Coaching Impact
6/23/2023 6:56:00 PM | Softball
The Leadership Playbook announces the 2022-2023 Coach of the Year nominees
Akron, OH – Middle Tennessee State University's Helen Peña has been announced as one of the nominees for The Leadership Playbook 2022-2023 Coach of the Year. The award seeks to honor coaches who maximize success, value growth, and make a positive impact on those they're entrusted to lead.
"I'm honored to be nominated by The Leadership Playbook and Jamy Bechler for Assistant Coach of the Year. I am surrounded by amazing coaches, administrators, support staff, and players therefore it is my belief that I am only as good as the company I keep. I'm reminded daily of how far I have to go, but I know I'll never stop striving to be the best I can be for the ones in our program and at this great university. Bleed Blue forever!"
Peña helped lead MTSU to its second Conference USA title and first NCAA Regional Championship appearance in program history after winning three games in the Tuscaloosa Regional.
TheLeadershipPlaybook.com helps athletic departments and sports teams build stronger cultures by developing better teammates and more positive leaders. As part of the online curriculum, the program has hundreds of two-minute video lessons to increase a person's leadership abilities and develop life skills.
The program was developed by Jamy Bechler, a former college basketball coach and high school athletic director. Bechler is now a professional speaker, team performance consultant, and host of the "Success is a Choice" podcast. He is also the author of five books, including The Bus Trip and The Captain.
"We're thrilled to recognize Coach Pena as an example of what a coach should be," said Bechler. "The late great Billy Graham used to say that a coach can impact more young people in one year than most people do in a lifetime, and I believe that to be true. No coach is perfect, and the job can be very demanding, but the best coaches try to make situations and other people better."
Bechler continued, "Most coaches know the X's and O's, the tactics, and strategies but the best coaches know their athletes. The best coaches go beyond the X's and O's and know how to inspire their athletes to do their best and maximize their potential."
Deserving coaches from across the United States were nominated by their peers, administrators, teachers, student-athletes, and in some cases, even competitors from other schools.
"I'm honored to be nominated by The Leadership Playbook and Jamy Bechler for Assistant Coach of the Year. I am surrounded by amazing coaches, administrators, support staff, and players therefore it is my belief that I am only as good as the company I keep. I'm reminded daily of how far I have to go, but I know I'll never stop striving to be the best I can be for the ones in our program and at this great university. Bleed Blue forever!"
Peña helped lead MTSU to its second Conference USA title and first NCAA Regional Championship appearance in program history after winning three games in the Tuscaloosa Regional.
TheLeadershipPlaybook.com helps athletic departments and sports teams build stronger cultures by developing better teammates and more positive leaders. As part of the online curriculum, the program has hundreds of two-minute video lessons to increase a person's leadership abilities and develop life skills.
The program was developed by Jamy Bechler, a former college basketball coach and high school athletic director. Bechler is now a professional speaker, team performance consultant, and host of the "Success is a Choice" podcast. He is also the author of five books, including The Bus Trip and The Captain.
"We're thrilled to recognize Coach Pena as an example of what a coach should be," said Bechler. "The late great Billy Graham used to say that a coach can impact more young people in one year than most people do in a lifetime, and I believe that to be true. No coach is perfect, and the job can be very demanding, but the best coaches try to make situations and other people better."
Bechler continued, "Most coaches know the X's and O's, the tactics, and strategies but the best coaches know their athletes. The best coaches go beyond the X's and O's and know how to inspire their athletes to do their best and maximize their potential."
Deserving coaches from across the United States were nominated by their peers, administrators, teachers, student-athletes, and in some cases, even competitors from other schools.
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