Haverford School’s Skelly named PAISAA coach of year

Haverford School cross-country head coach Bryan Skelly has been selected as the 2014 Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association (PAISAA) Boys’ Cross Country Coach of the Year. The annual award recognizes the top boys’ and girls’ coach that exemplifies outstanding leadership and sportsmanship while guiding their team to great success.

“The PAISAA Cross-Country Board of Directors was particularly impressed by Bryan’s ability to consistently develop his team and program over the course of the past 3-4 years, resulting in a program-best third place finish at the 2014 PAISAA Cross-Country State Championships,’ says Rob Hewitt, president of the PAISAA Cross-Country Board of Directors. “It is obvious that Bryan has a vision for his team, a passion for coaching and truly cares about the success of his students.’

Skelly is quick to point to the 30 kids on this year’s cross-country team and his fellow coaches as the foundation of his success.

“When I told my college coach that I wanted to get involved with coaching, he gave me good advice,’ said Skelly. “He said, ‘ Do you know the easiest way to become a great coach? Surround yourself with great kids.’

“For four years, we’ve had a great group of seniors moving through the program. The award is as much a reflection of their commitment to the program as it is anything I’ve done. In addition, we have been fortunate to pick up ‘ free agent’ athletes, many of whom left other sports to join us. One of the perks of being the head coach is that I get recognized for these awards, but, in fact, it was a team effort. With all that said, it is nice to be recognized for the hard work that the running program has put in during the fall, winter, and spring over the past eight years that I have been coaching.’