The Coach of the Year Award is awarded annually to one varsity head coach at Sarasota Christian School. This award recognizes the positive impact that a coach has on the lives of the student-athletes. We ask our coaches to do far more than teach a game, we ask them to be transformational in the lives of the athletes that they coach. This award honors the coach that continues to go above and beyond to build a great team that performs at a high level in the field of competition while building godly men and women for life. Head boys basketball coach Kevin Bruinsma is the coach of the year.
His team has played the toughest schedule of any team at SCS and has never had a losing season over the past 7 seasons. Big public schools have come into our gym and lost in large part because we are better coached and better prepared. I have personally listened to many film sessions in the athletic conference room where film was broken down to teach and prepare our team for the next game. It is done with a love for basketball and a love for our players. It is to the point but also fun and encouraging. Here are some thoughts from athletes on the team
"Coach is one of the most reliable people I know. He holds everyone to the same standard on and off the court no matter what. He is a diligent worker when it comes to basketball and his relationship with the Lord."
"When thinking of coach bru I think of 3 things: expansive and often unparalleled knowledge of the game of basketball, a hardworking desire to best prepare the team for upcoming games that comes with nothing short of sacrifice, and a love for Christ."
"Coach Bru not only cares deeply about the game of basketball and our success but he cares about us young men. He cares that we give our best effort in everything we do. We know he will always have our backs in every situation, no matter what!"
"Coach Bru is the type of Coach to always put the team first and put the needs of the players above all else. He knows what he is talking about and is an amazing coach."
"Playing under Coach Bru for 4 years has been a privilege that I was blessed to be apart of. Coach Bru is the ultimate competitor and someone I would run through a wall for and is the most honest person I know, his quote winning is always our goal but never our purpose is something that he lives out daily through his own walk with Christ and coaching us on the basketball court, Coach Bru does everything with all of his heart soul mind and body which is something I will always admire about him. Love you Coach."
This year Coach Bruinsma collected his 100th win as a Blazer and his first District Championship along with his 5th FACA District 16 1A Coach of the Year award. The team swept Bradenton Christian and ODA in the regular season along with wins over Bayshore, Desoto and Lakewood Ranch. The Blazers dominated a home regional game and advanced to the Sweet 16 in the FHSAA State Tournament.
