Coach Garceau is national finalist

WOODSTOCK — The National High School Athletic Coaches Association named Richard Garceau, Woodstock Academy golf coach and social studies teacher, as a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association national coach of the year in the sport of golf. 

Eight finalists from across the nation will be honored during The National Coach of the Year Awards Banquet which will take place at the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s national convention at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria, Ill., in June. The highlight of the banquet will be the naming of the NHSACA national coach of the year in nineteen recognized sports categories. Garceau will also have the opportunity to present a mini-session on his area of expertise at the convention.

Coach Garceau was selected for this national honor by the Connecticut high school coaches’ association. This selection was based on longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, championship years, and winning percentage. The nominees and finalists are evaluated by experts in the field of coaching using sport-specific rubrics to assign points in each category. The National High School Athletic Coaches Association is the oldest coaches’ association in the nation formed by coaches, for coaches, and has been recognizing national coaches of the year since 1978. 

Garceau said he was “really very surprised at being the Connecticut Nominee for National High School Coach of the Year, let alone one of 8 national finalists.”  He credits “The Woodstock Academy coaches from all sports that patiently answered questions when I was a new coach.” Garceau began coaching golf at The Woodstock Academy in 2004, the same year he began teaching social studies at the school. Since 2004 he has proven himself to be a dedicated member of the school community. Associate Headmaster at The Woodstock Academy, Holly Singleton, noted that Garceau was “very deserving of the NHSACA’s recognition given his commitment to both students and the sport.” 

Aaron Patterson, athletic director at The Woodstock Academy, said he was “thrilled that one of our own, Rich Garceau, is in this elite group of nationally recognized golf coaches.” Patterson cited Garceau’s dedication noting that Garceau “takes this responsibility very seriously, often attending week long seminars to better himself as a coach” and, as a result, “his years of training has not only benefitted him, but also the student-athletes he has coached over the years. His coaching goes far beyond the wins and losses. He has truly made a positive impact in the young people he has had the privilege of coaching.”

“Of course the young men who have played golf at Woodstock Academy during my time coaching are really the reason for my receiving any recognition,” Garceau explained. “Their hard work, commitment and dedication to Woodstock Academy golf has propelled this program to the respected stature it has achieved.  I am just fortunate to be along with all of those people.”