Woodson Senior High School’s Robert Headen was recently named "2002 National High School Football Coach of the Year" by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.

Headen, Woodson’s varsity coach, was honored for his 37 years as a DCPS football coach. Last year, Headen led the Warriors to the annual Turkey Bowl championship game in which they lost the DCIAA title to Dunbar.

The association also inducted D.C. Public Schools’ swimming coach Bruce D. Bradford into its Hall of Fame for Swimming during last month’s annual convention. Bradford was honored for his 31 years as a swimming coach for the city’s public schools.

"We're very proud of our coaches," said Allen Chin, DCPS athletic director. "They do this for the love of kids. The coaches often take money out of their pockets to take care of their kids."

In addition to Headen and Bradford, Philip Faxio was named District Two Coach of the Year for girls track, and Lionel Russell was named District Two Coach of the Year for cross country.

"These coaches epitomize the very best in District of Columbia Public Schools," said Superintendent Paul L. Vance.

"Sports are an important vehicle in helping to shape students’ characters. ... instilling discipline, the will to win and losing gracefully," Vance said. "The coaches are to be commended for their dedication to their respective sports and to our children."

Three other coaches were among finalists for Coach of the Year honors. They are Wilson’s Francis Ryan for boys’ soccer, Eastern’s Tillman Frizzell for baseball and Ballou’s Noel Cyrus for boys’ track.

Copyright 2002, The Common Denominator