Coach Bill Griffin, a well-known and inspiring Bremen High School Cross Country Coach and alum has received the honor of being named Brooks Running Inspiring Coaches Program’s Midwest Region Inspiring Cross Country Coach of the Year!
Each year, the Brooks Running Inspiring Coaches Program honors and rewards high school track and cross country coaches that inspire the next generation of runners. These coaches go above and beyond in their community. Over several months, the program received hundreds of nominations from athletes, faculty, parents, and community members, recognizing their high school coach as someone who has inspired them to be a better version of themselves. In the end, the organization narrowed down to four finalists representing each region – Northeast, South, Midwest and West.
Bremen High School’s Coach Bill Griffin has been described in nominations as someone who is “truly an amazing coach and an even more amazing human being,” and someone who’s “coaching is impressive, but the impact he has on the boys/young men is unmatchable.”
By earning this status, Griffin was also rewarded with a $1,100 Brooks Running gear package, and an invitation to the 2024 Brooks Inspire Daily (ID) program. Humbled, Coach Griffin had the following to say about receiving this award:
“This award sheds light on people that are having an impact on young adults that just happen to be athletes. There are so many life lessons that we talk about with our athletes that go far beyond sports. Just talking to them and learning about their backgrounds, family lives and cultures has been a rewarding experience. We try to let them know that they matter to us and they are important to us.
I think that the kids that buy into what we are offering them really get the most out of our sport. It doesn't matter how fast you are, it matters that you are becoming a better runner & a better person each day. We try to balance the hard work with having fun along the way. Our coaching staff (Rob Swiech, Paige Galvin, Anna Rauch and formerly Renee Yunker) all jump in to teach the kids and to show the kids a good time. I've been coaching at Bremen for 34 years now and each year, I have to change and adapt to the kids. I like to think that they appreciate what we are trying to do for them.”
Griffin’s colleagues agree that he is very deserving of the award.
“When one thinks Bremen Cross Country, they think Coach Bill Griffin. Bill is not only extremely knowledgeable about running, but Bill is a tremendous role model for all of his student athletes,” said Paige Galvin. “Bill brings out the best in all of his athletes and those who are lucky enough to coach beside him. Coaches and runners from all across the South Suburbs lean on Bill for advice. I will forever admire who Bill is as a coach and as an individual. We all hope to be half the coach Bill Griffin is.”
“I have been coaching cross country at Bremen with Bill Griffin for over 20 years. Bill has a passion for cross country that is unmatched, and he works daily to share his love of the sport with our athletes,” said Robert Swiech. “Bill has had many successful teams over the years, but he prides himself on building connections with our athletes and developing them into outstanding young adults regardless of their running abilities. There is no greater proof of this than the countless alumni that stay in contact to support our program and come back to visit with Coach Bill. I can't imagine a more deserving individual for the Midwest Region Inspiring Coach of the Year Award than Bill Griffin.”
District 228 couldn’t be more proud to have him! Congratulations to Coach Griffin!