On Sunday, January 16th 2005, before the
Eagles-Vikings playoff game, coach Schmidt was honored as
2004 Coach
of the Year. It was the second such honor in only four years.
Mark Schmidt was also the Coach of the Year in 2001, when he
took the Skins to Hershey and came home with the State Title.
Standing in front of 65,000
screaming fans on the field of the Link is a larger-than-life
experience,
but Mark Schmidt is a larger-than-life kinda guy.
It was a fitting venue for
the tribute and it was not wasted on the Eagles.
It was obvious
that Andy Reid got pointers from our beloved coach as we watched
McNabb jog to the sideline after every play to confer with Reid.
Normally, the recipient of
this award would receive a gold watch. This year they made an
exception and gave out a 25 second stop watch. (Okay...I
might have made up that part).
Back to being serious, every
parent who had a son go through Coach Schmidt's program knows
that their son is a better man because of coach Schmidt and all
of his associates. Self confidence,
discipline, teamwork, respect, determination, and a strong work
ethic are just some of the character traits that are refined
under coach Schmidt's program.
As an added bonus, players,
parents and fans alike have been treated to a lifetime of great
memories as coach Schmidt has made the Redskins one of the top
teams in Pennsylvania, and given us all many reasons to be
proud.
Coach Schmidt,
we are
satisfied, and we look forward to having you roaming the
sidelines next season.
Thank you for all you have
given to us. We always knew you were the best out there.
Now, everyone else knows too.
