Flande named Golf Coach of the Year

Mary Flande. Photo by Rongi Yost Sisters High School girls golf coach Mary Flande has been named National Coach of the Year for girls golf. She received a letter from the National Federation of High School (NFHSC) Coaches informing her of the award.

The letter congratulated her on being selected as the 2002 NFHS Coaches Association National Coach of the Year in the sport of Girls Golf.

It also stated, "This is indeed an honor when you consider that you have been selected from all girls golf coaches throughout the country."

When Flande heard she'd won the national award she said, "I was totally surprised. It just blows me out of the water! I feel especially honored to have been recognized by my peers.

"Throughout my 25 years of coaching, I have been fortunate to work with so many terrific kids," Flande said. "To me coaching is about creating an atmosphere where kids will have a positive experience that will allow them to develop their athletic skills and grow as individuals."

Last fall Flande was named Oregon's girls golf coach of the year and from there she was entered into the regional competition which included coaches from the states of Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Alaska and Wyoming. One of the eight sectional winners throughout the United States was then chosen as the National Coach of the Year and this year it was Sisters' own Mary Flande of Sisters High School.

Before candidates were selected they were required to fill out an information sheet which included their league, district, state championships, as well as other coaching honors and recognition. They were also asked to include any recognitions/honors they had received in their school/ community.

Flande had quite a list of items including the following:

• '78-'79 Boys and girls basketball in Nunapachuk, Alaska.

• '79-'80 Girls basketball and JV boys baseball in Scio, Oregon.

• '80-'82 Volleyball, Basketball, and track and field in Newport, Oregon.

• '82-'92 Volleyball, boys and girls basketball, track and field in Madras, Oregon.

• '92-present Volleyball, Basketball, track and field and golf in Sisters, Oregon.

• Involved with the golf program at Sisters for nine years and three years runner-up at the district golf tournament.

Flande was honored in other sports also. She was the 1994 and 1995 Capital Conference Volleyball Coach of the Year.

In selecting a national coach of the year the following criteria were used: career coaching record, community service, involvement in other school activities, involvement in your profession at local, state and national levels and basic philosophy of athletics.

"Athletics is about teaching kids lifelong skills," Flande said.

"Winning and losing is only a small part. Getting kids to participate, learn to respect themselves and others, challenging themselves, and growing as an individual is so important. Providing the opportunity for all kids to be positively engaged in athletics and activities will provide a feeling of self worth and create a lifetime of memories."

In recognition of Flande's honor she will be awarded a plaque later this spring.