Jefferson’s is pleased to announce that Clay Roundtree and Ben Dewberry have been named, respectively, Hampton Cove and New Market’s Coaches of the Year. Roundtree coaches soccer at the Hampton Cove Soccer Club, and has been coaching for 12 years. Dewberry coaches baseball and basketball for New Market Recreation, and has been coaching for 17 years.
Coach Roundtree and Coach Dewberry were chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominations submitted by athletes and community members. The contest, launched in honor of National Coach’s Day on Oct. 6, serves to recognize a few of the many deserving coaches in the Huntsville area. Roundtree and Dewberry were chosen for their selfless leadership and focus on the whole-person development of their athletes.
“Coach Roundtree’s nominators spoke of how he has unified and inspired his athletic program to new heights,” said franchisee Jake Lund. “He’s constantly lifting them up, teaching life skills, creating team-building experiences, and even driving hours to make sure they never miss a chance to compete. Coach Dewberry’s nominators spoke of how he will do anything at all for his players—providing meals, transportation, equipment, and much more so that every child who wants to play has the opportunity. Both coaches have uplifted their communities and taught sportsmanship and accountability to a new generation. We’re honored to recognize them for all of their hard work.”
Roundtree and Dewberry will each receive a $500 gift card to Jefferson’s, and their achievement will be commemorated with a “Jefferson’s Coach of the Year” plaque that will be displayed in their respective Jefferson’s.
“We call ourselves the Hampton Cove Pride,” Coach Roundtree said in a statement. “The word ‘Pride’ was selected because I wanted our players to unapologetically take pride in themselves, their teammates, their faith, school, community, and country. The coaches in our organization take pride in developing the person first, and the player second. We use the sport of soccer to teach life lessons and most importantly, develop strong relationships and friendships that we hope will last a lifetime.”
Last year was the launch of the Coach of the Year program, with Kenny Williams (Hampton Cove Middle School football) selected as the first-ever Hampton Cove Coach of the Year. As Jefferson’s New Market location opened earlier this spring, Coach Dewberry will serve as New Market’s very first Coach of the Year.
The Jefferson’s Coach of the Year award was open to coaches of any sport working with athletes of any age. Coaches could be nominated by athletes, parents and guardians of athletes, school officials, or other community members.