By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Hays Middle School coach Cade Scott was recently recognized as the Kansas Coaches Association Middle School Coach of the Year.
He was honored at the Hays USD 489 school board meeting on Monday, with Bruce Rupp, Hays Middle School athletic director, speaking on his behalf.
Scott has been a head coach at Hays Middle School for nine years. In those nine years, his basketball team won the league championship seven times and placed second twice, Rupp said.
His team was undefeated four times, and in two years, the team had only one loss. His overall record is 137-11.
He also coaches track, teaches social studies and is the student council adviser.
"If you see his basketball team on and off the court, they are by far our best-behaved team," Rupp said. "They are dressed in shirt and ties often. They make sure to take care of academics, so eligibility isn't an issue. He runs a very tight ship."
Scott is also on the board of the youth football league in Hays, coaches traveling-team baseball and assists with Mid America Youth Basketball (MAYB).
"He does everything and has done it well for a long time," Rupp said.
Scott thanked Rupp for the opportunity to coach at the middle school.
"It's a great school to coach in with the administration and staff there. It's a very positive environment at the middle school to coach in. ... It's very easy to coach there. ...
"It's been a really fun 10 years of middle school basketball."
He added, "The kids are what it's all about. I know Mr. Rupp talked about the record and the wins, but when you look back, the kids really impact you. People say you impact kids, but they also impact you."