The Evanston Youth Athletic Board is pleased to announce its selection for the 2016-2017 coach and sponsor of the year. Selected by the Board as coach of the year is Matt Morrow and as Sponsor of the Year, Varsity Ink.

Matt Morrow is being honored as Evanston Youth Athletics (EYA) coach of the year for outstanding service and involvement as an Evanston youth sport coach in the 2016 and 2017 Evanston Youth Football and Cal Ripken Baseball (two teams including all-stars) programs. Morrow has coached youth basketball teams as well.

Morrow grew up in Evanston and participated in a variety of youth sports and high school sports programs. He began coaching youth sports 16 years ago while in the Air Force and stationed in Italy. He coached with a friend who had a son playing youth sports. He has coached youth sports every year since then.

Morrow thoroughly enjoys coaching and watching the young players develop into good athletes. He enjoys seeing the passion for sports grow in these young people and feels the time and dedication needed to be a youth sports coach is well worth the sacrifices necessary for coaching.

Morrow also feels that youth sports can help prepare kids for the real world, perhaps more than anything else they will do in their lives. Sports teach kids to be both a leader and a supporter.

“There are times they (the kids) need to step up and be a leader and there are times they need to follow someone else’s lead, and be part of a team,” Morrow said. “Sports teach kids what it takes to be a winner, but sports will also teach kids how to handle defeat.”

Morrow believes the latter is the most important aspect of sports.

Throughout his volunteer coaching experience, Morrow has been a positive influence in the lives of many young people. He has been nationally certified as a youth sports coach through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association training program and has taken various other online training courses. He always puts forth his best efforts when working with youth programs and has exemplified Evanston Youth Athletics and NYSCA standards and ethics through his caring attitude and desire to work with youth in teaching proper developmental skills and techniques, along with making sure the kids are always having fun.

In recognition of his commitment and dedication to the betterment of Evanston youth sports programs, Morrow has been selected the 2016-17 Evanston Youth Athletic coach of the year.

Varsity Ink owner Brenda Richins of Evanston is being honored as the Evanston Youth Athletics 2016-17 sponsor of the year for outstanding support of Evanston Youth Football and the Jr Girls Softball programs.

In 2015, Varsity Ink sponsored a youth football team, as well, and has been an ongoing supporter of Evanston Youth Athletics and Evanston Parks and Recreation in other areas.

Varsity Ink opened its doors on Oct. 1, 2014, providing silk screening and heat-applied transfer services for custom apparel, bags and more. Varsity Ink has recently added promotional products to its inventory and services and is excited about providing those services to the community.

Additional criterion used in considering Sponsor of The Year includes support or sponsorship of other community-based groups, organizations and programs. Noted community contributions, among others include: Evanston High School and Middle School athletic programs such as football, basketball, volleyball and track, Evanston youth baseball, Evanston Express Soccer Club, Evanston bowling leagues, sports team scholarships, the annual Chinese New Year Table Tennis Tournament and more.

Throughout 2016 and 2017, Varsity Ink has proven to be an outstanding example in stressing the importance of being involved in sponsorship and service to the community. Community support, such as Varsity Ink’s, helps toward the development of existing and new programs and improves the quality of life within our community.