By Kathy Oswalt-Forsythe
During the November meeting of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association in Denver, Vicksburg Schools’ Athletic Director Michael Roy received the Bruce D. Whitehead Distinguished Service Award.
This award is presented annually to individuals from within the association’s membership in recognition of the individual’s length of service, special accomplishments and contributions to interscholastic athletics at the local, state, and national levels. Nominations are submitted by state athletic director associations, screened by the national association’s Awards Committee, and selected by the NIAAA Board of Directors.
Roy is a 1988 graduate of Paw Paw High School, where he was an athletic stand-out, earning a football scholarship to University of Nevada at Las Vegas. There, he earned a bachelors and masters degree. He began working for Vicksburg in 2002. Roy has guided an athletic facilities improvement project and added additional opportunities for student involvement during his years with the district.
Roy said, “The addition of 10 varsity sports since I’ve been here is something I’m extremely proud of. We have added equestrian, boys and girls ski, boys and girls bowling, hockey, boys and girls lacrosse, and boys and girls clay target. Research shows us the more kids are involved, the better they do. Getting individuals involved has always been a priority for me.”
Roy has not just provided leadership at the local level: He has assumed leadership roles at the state and national level. He serves on various boards, has presented at numerous conferences, and teaches leadership training courses at the state and national level.
Roy believes in the importance of athletics and the positive impact coaches can have on young people. “I chose this profession because athletics had a profound impact on my life. At a young age, teachers and coaches guided me, believed in me, and encouraged me to always strive for more. Along the way I learned through the hard times and the good times that determination, hard work, and perseverance will always pay off.”
“Mike has provided outstanding service and unselfish devotion to the student athletes of the Vicksburg community for many years, and this honor was well deserved,” said Vicksburg Community Schools Superintendent Keevin O’Neill. “We at VCS are very proud of Mike and appreciate his passion and commitment to VCS athletics and all our student athletes.”