By Zach Cantalice, WKTV intern
Wyoming’s High School’s head football coach Irvin Sigler was supposed to be awarded the West Michigan Officials Association’s Coach of the Year award at an association ceremony early this year. But then came COVID-19, and pubic ceremonies were put on hold.
While he did received the honor over the summer, during a socially-distant visit form association officials, Sigler says the honor was special none-the-less.
“I feel very honored, but it is truly a reflection of our program, players and assistant coaches,” Sigler said to WKTV. “It is more significant than any award I’ve received in coaching.”
And the reason is simple, Sigler said: “It comes from officials, who don’t get much recognition and thanks for what they do. But without whom we would have no game.
“It means so much to me, because officials have the chance to see coaches at our best and our worst. To know that I’ve earned the respect of this group of men tells me that we are doing things right as a team and program.”
And Coach Sigler, who is also the Dean of Students at Wyoming high, wants his players to win off the field as well as on at the field.
“I want to continue for us to portray the best values of sportsmanship, and ambassadors of the game,” he said. “I want our players to take pride in knowing that their attitude and behavior are respected by the ‘gatekeepers’ of the game.”
During a pandemic-shortened football season, Sigler said his expectations for his team are equally simple.
“To get better every day, be a great practice team and play as hard as we can on Friday nights,” he said .”That we will continue to honor the game and our community. That we will continue to treat people with dignity and respect.”
