| Evan Excell presents Steven Gordon with the 3A coach of the year award. Gordon is the girl’s basketball coach at Emery High. |
Emery High’s girls basketball coach Steven Gordon was recently honored by the Utah High School Athletic Association as the 3A coach of the year. The Distinguished Service Award was initiated in 1987 to honor those whose contributions and service to high school activities have gone beyond the second mile.
David L. Wilkey is the chairman for the distinguished service committee. He said, “The Distinguished Service Award is the Association’s way of saying thank you in behalf of the many whose lives you have touched. We appreciate your dedication to the high school youth whom you serve.”
Gordon and other recipients of the award were honored at a luncheon at the Willow Creek Country Club in Salt Lake. They received a distinguished service plaque.
Coach Gordon is in his third season coaching the Emery High girls. He has taken the girls from not making the state playoffs in 2004-2005 to playing in the 3A championship game in 2006. He has developed the love of the game in the girls and they have shown their capabilities on the court with his instruction and encouragement.
Coach Gordon has also helped with the football, baseball, and boys basketball programs at the school. Coach Gordon was the basketball coach for Mont Harmon Junior High for two years, the Carbon High baseball coach for two years and the Canyon View High School baseball coach for two years prior to his coming to Emery High. He was a student athlete at Emery High and is now a teacher there as well as coach. Coach Gordon is best known for his half court three point shot to win the first state championship in 2A, the win was over Richfield and the game was played in Cedar City at SUU.
Others receiving the award this year included: Clayton Carter, 1A coach of the year, Wendover High; Cassie Moon, 2A coach of the year San Juan High; Mike Ripplinger, 4A coach of the year, Box Elder High; Lee Mitchell, 5A coach of the year, Alta High; Paige Davis, female official of the year, Paige is an Emery High graduate; Duane Potts, male official of the year; Chris Bower, speech educator of the year Timpview High; Richard Mapsden, music educator of the year, Davis School District; Brad Hawkins, athletic director of the year, Layton High; Damon Miller, distinguished contributor, US Bank; Scott Whittaker, distinguished media service, Utah section PGA; Rick Bullion, distinguished media service, 1280 Radio, The Zone; Aldon Rachael, distinguished media service, Uintah Basin Standard.