Rush and Nordell earn Coach of the Year honors

First-year Sisters High School (SHS) varsity volleyball Coach Rory Rush and Project Unify Coach Josh Nordell were honored at the 83rd annual Oregon Athletic Coaches Association (OACA) Awards Banquet last month. Rush was selected as the 2018 4A Volleyball Coach of the Year and Nordell, along with Brandon Kneebone of Milwaukie High School, were selected Unified Sports Coaches of the Year.

Rush came to Sisters with 20 years of volleyball coaching experience, and at the start of the season realized she'd be taking over a very successful volleyball program. Last year, the Outlaws finished first in the Sky-Em Conference, and also took a first-place finish at the state tournament. In addition, they'd made seven consecutive appearances at the state tourney.

When asked if she felt any pressure stepping in as the new head coach, Rush's quick response was, "Pressure? Oh gosh! Yes, there was definitely pressure to continue the winning tradition and to create stability for the program."

Rory came through her first season in flying colors. She led the Outlaws to both back-to-back league and state titles.

A few weeks ago, Rush was notified she'd been selected as the 2018 Coach of the Year.

"I actually was surprised, and I was very honored to receive the award," said Rush. "I think for me it validated all the hard work I've put in over the last 20 years. But, it's also a testament to the great athletes we have here at Sisters, and I wouldn't have received the award without having the opportunity to coach them."

SHS Athletic Director Gary Thorson told The Nugget that Rush was very deserving of the award.

"As evidence of the high turnover rate of coaches in this sport, the expectations for volleyball here in Sisters is (sic) very high, and she stepped in and did a great job leading the program this past fall. The performance of her team speaks for itself, but more important to me is how she was viewed by her athletes. They appreciated the balance she had with them in terms of pushing them to be the best they could on the court, but also showing concern and care for them as individuals. We are proud and appreciative of her efforts with the team."

Nordell, Sisters High School Special Education teacher, started Project Unify at the high school three years ago. The purpose of Project Unify is to create true friendships and inclusion within the high school, and for students to work together as a team. Students embraced it from the start, and each year more and more students get involved.

Nordell told The Nugget that working as a team is a major job skill, and hard to teach, and added, "A team is a great representation of a workplace, and how you deal with challenges as a group. You have to learn to work together with all types of people and work through all types of hardship together."

Josh shared some of the many positive results that have come from implementing the program at the high school.

"We've seen a strong sense of place and connection for students with neurotypical and non-neurotypical needs, and students feel important and included in the high school setting," he said. "They work towards a common goal, and understand that competition is important, but not competing in a manner that will hurt others. When the competition is over we are all friends. We compete for the experience, rather than for personal gain or winning or losing."

Nordell was very humble about his recognition.

"I'm mostly embarrassed," he said. "I really struggle getting awards and being recognized in this manner. I'm thankful I work with a great team of Bill Mitchell, Sherri Hermens, and Bryn Singleton, and countless parents and volunteers."

Thorson said, "Josh has not only impacted SHS with the work he has done with our Project Unified Program, but our entire community. He is in this profession, both as a teacher and coach, for all the right reasons, and it shows in the programs he is involved with. He helps make SHS a special place for everyone who attends, and we are so blessed to have him in our building."