Kingswood Oxford Boys’ Hockey Coach Wins Sportsmanship Award

Ben Adams, the head coach of the Boys’ Varsity Ice Hockey team at Kingswood Oxford, has been named Coach of the Year by a prestigious hockey officials’ organization.

Adams received the Vincent J. Reilly Coach of the Year Sportsmanship Award for 2014 from the Connecticut chapter of the National Ice Hockey Officials Association during a dinner and ceremony on Apr. 24.

According to the NIHOA, the award is presented annually to a state high school ice hockey coach from Divisions I, II, III and the Prep School Division who best exemplifies the standards set forth at the national level.

“This award is not about winning records, although those are always nice to have,” said Rick Gentile, secretary of the CT chapter of the NIHOA. ”It's about sportsmanship.  It's about how you and your team go about achieving the national goal of understanding and commitment to fair play, ethical behavior and integrity. Good sportsmanship does not happen accidentally. It takes a lot of hard work, planning, courage and dedication to stand tall when you are right.

 “Your efforts, influence and genuine concern for your young players, the game itself and all associated with ice hockey, is immediately recognizable by our hockey official's association and is greatly appreciated,” continued Gentile. “You are truly deserving of this award.”