The National High School Coaches Association will recognize Terri Ziemnicki with top honors at a ceremony in South Dakota in late June. Ziemnicki, who has coached girls’ lacrosse, field hockey and softball for the Granby and Avon Public School Districts for 40 years, was nominated by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association. The Kathy Holloway Women of Inspiration Award is presented annually to a female who has promoted women’s athletics by coaching, serving, supporting or leading high school female athletic programs.
At the heart of the award are individuals supporting female athletic programs that focus on changing lives and inspiring women to strive for greatness. Ziemnicki explains, “Coaching provides opportunities to instill values and life lessons. When I look back on all the wins and losses, it’s the girls that matter. Both the challenges and rewards that they’ve experienced and the possibility that something I did provided a positive influence, are the biggest reward of being a coach.”