Helping students succeed on and off the field

St. John's School girls lacrosse coach Angie Kensinger, recipient of the Positive Coaching Alliance's Double Goal Coach Award (Photo contributed)

Regardless of what Vince Lombardi once said on the subject, winning in the sports arena truly isn't everything. As any good high school coach knows, winning at life is equally, perhaps more, important as winning on the field. It's that attitude that merited St. John's School girls lacrosse coach and Afton Oaks resident Angie Kensinger the Double Goal Coach Award from the Positive Coaching Alliance.

The Double Goal Award, presented by Liberty Mutual Insurance, is so named because it recognizes coaches who strive to accomplish success both in sports and in life. "Angie helps youth athletes win on and off the field," said Positive Coaching Alliance Founder and CEO Jim Thompson. "By creating a positive, character-building youth sports experience, Angie helps her athletes become better competitors and better people."

As a girls lacrosse coach, Kensinger has led her team to either the state title, the Southwest Preparatory Conference title or both each of the past eight years, an enviable success rate that she attributes primarily to a positive attitude. "My assistant coaches and I make it fun," said Kensinger. "We're so positive. If someone makes a mistake, we don't punish them. We work really hard. We foster teamwork, and we have a lot of fun traditions that they cherish. There are always challenges and setback, and that's a life lesson. We all know as we get older there are roadblocks and hurdles, but if you believe that everything happens for a reason, you can learn from that. I hope to instill that in the girls."

In recognition of her efforts, Kensinger will receive a $250 cash award, as well as a trophy and mention in the newsletters for both the Positive Coaching Alliance and Liberty Mutual Insurances Liberty Mutual Responsible Sports Program.

Name: Angie Kensinger

Age: 47

Profession: Girls lacrosse coach at St. John's School

Community Connection: Resident of Afton Oaks

Fast Fact: It's not just the young people at St. John's who are Coach K's raison d'etre. When she's not busy coaching, she's busy being a mother to her own children.