Officials' Association Honor Head Husky

Sweet Home football coach Rob Younger has been named the first Coach of the Year by the Oregon Athletic Officials Association.

Younger, who has led the Sweet Home football program for 21 years, received the award from OAOA Executive Director Jack Folliard at the annual banquet of the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association in Eugene Saturday night, May 23rd.

In addition to his long career in coaching, which dates to the 70s, Younger, an active softball and baseball umpire, is the President of the Mid-Valley Softball Umpires Association and President-Elect of the Mid-Valley Baseball Umpires Association. Younger also serves on the Executive Board of the OSAA, as the coaches' association representative.

Coach Younger was nominated for this award by the Mid-Western Football Officials Association from the Eugene-Springfield area. In their nominating of Younger, the MWFOA stated, "Coach Younger demonstrates what is expected of a high school coach with his positive attitude towards those with whom he comes in contact."

Coach Younger is also actively involved in the training of Oregon officials, presenting his thoughts on the professionalism of sports officials from a coaches' point of view at numerous training clinics and classes. Younger's extensive experience as both a coach and an official, coupled with a unique speaking style, has brought the perspective from both sides of the line to both coaches and officials, many of whom do not have a background in both roles.