Jaws and Doyle honored with Coach of the Year awards
Jarovski, head coach for the track and field teams, was announced as the SD Head Coach of the Year.
May 17, 2017
Most athletes remember some of their favorite coaches. Whether it was the bond they had formed or the lessons and skills they taught, some coaches go above and beyond to bring out the best in their players. Ken Doyle, assistant football and track coach, and James Jarovski, head track and field coach, of LHS were honored earlier this month by being named the South Dakota Assistant Coach of the Year and the South Dakota Coach of the Year.
Both Doyle and Jarovski have been coaching at LHS for a combined 18 years, so they know a thing or two about being a successful coach. Though this award is meaningful and rewarding to both, they like what goes into coaching more than receiving an award.
“I think the interactions with the kids is my favorite part about coaching,” said Doyle. “I wasn’t expecting to get the award because there are a lot of other people that deserve it and it was a cool honor, but being able to be around young people and see them succeed is the most rewarding feeling. I like the process too, like the practicing and training in the offseason. I think I like it more than the actual event that the student competes at. It is cool to see the skills the students develop and the relationships they develop with both the coaches and other student athletes.”
Jarovski, or Jaws as most know him by, was also humbled upon receiving the award, but it is the time he can spend around people, both students and other coaches, that he enjoys more.
“There are two things I like about coaching,” said Jarovski. “One would be working with the kids, and I know that kind of sounds like a line, but it’s the truth. I enjoy working with the different personalities that I get to see every day and we’ve got great kids here at Lincoln. I also like working with the coaches. We’ve got fun guys and girls to be around at LHS. It was nice to be recognized by your peers because that’s who votes on you, so I was happy that I was recognized by my peers, but I feel like there are a lot of deserving coaches here at Lincoln High School. We just have a tremendous group of head coaches.”
In the past four years, LHS athletics have compiled a fair amount of state titles and championships, in part because of the players, but also because of the tremendous coaching staff. Jaws can see the athletics programs at LHS continuing to grow into unlimited potential.
“The biggest thing I think would be is in track and field, there has been a culture of kids wanting to be a part of it and really working hard,” said Jarovski. “Our numbers are great, the kids are enthused about being part of the program and for the most part, they like being out there. It’s just an excitement for the program and an excitement in terms of the culture.”
Doyle also sees a bright future for all athletics here at LHS and he can not wait to see what is in store.
“Both programs have been successful on different levels, and I think there is a bright future for both football and track as well as the other sports too,” said Doyle. “There are just so many quality people here at LHS and we have so many great kids with great attitudes, and they’re talented in some way where they can contribute to the team’s performance. So I don’t see it slowing down anytime soon.”
