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SPORTS
> COLUMNISTS
Well-deserved recognition for LO coaches
To say Mark Cummins and Barry McDonnell have left their imprint on Live Oak athletics would be an understatement.
While their division titles, playoff appearances, accolades and victories say all you need to know about them as coaches, their integrity, class and impact on players and co-workers speak even larger volumes. As no surprise to many, both gentlemen were celebrated this week as CIF-Central Coast Section Honor coaches, an award given through recognition from their peers. Coaches can receive the honor only once for each sport.
Cummins, who's also Live Oak's Athletic Director, is in his 22nd year skippering the school's baseball team. He's coached the Acorns to nine of their 13 division titles in the Monterey Bay, Tri County and Blossom Valley Athletic leagues and 19 CIF-CCS playoff appearances, including their 16th straight last season.
On Friday, Cummins added another cornerstone to his prep coaching resume, collecting win No. 400.
"The award is a tremendous honor," Cummins said Tuesday. "Barry and I have been fortunate to work with such a great administration over the years and to be part of this great community in Morgan Hill. It's a great place to raise kids, and we're helping them grow into mature adults."
Last year, Cummins was named division Coach of the Year for the seventh time while McDonnell earned the same honor after helping Live Oak win its first division championship. Under McDonnell, league titles literally have come second to CIF-CCS prominence for the Lady Acorns. Live Oak won section championships in 2001 and 2005.
Like Cummins, McDonnell dubbed the recent coaching honor a credit to his program.
"I'd like to think it says a lot about the coaches, parents and players involved," said McDonnell, who's been involved with Live Oak softball for 13 years. "We've tried to keep it consistent here. I've been lucky to coach in an area with strong youth softball programs - Spirit and Pride.
"I was excited and pleased when I heard the news."
Add Cummins: "People don't understand the amount of hard work that goes into building a successful program. It is hard work, but it's very rewarding."
As Live Oak principal Nicholas Boden said Tuesday, the CIF-CCS Board of Managers "couldn't have picked better candidates." Cummins and McDonnell have brought continued success to Live Oak athletics while, at the same time, providing exemplary mentoring.
Their players reflect it.
"They're teachers first," Boden said with emphasis. "The love and passion that they create, feed, nurture, instill, plant - whatever term you want to use - they do it with their kids.
"Athletics are a chance for kids to develop into who they are. ... Unless you have a coach that can bring out the best in those student athletes, it's not going to happen. With Mark and Barry it happens."
Both coaches stress academics and recognize achievement. McDonnell holds an annual team academic dinner for players and parents to celebrate good grades. The softball team had seven players earn GPAs better than 3.5. Three were better than 4.0.
"He's a great role model for his players," Cummins said. "He's an honest and caring person - everything you want in a coach."
Each semester, Cummins posts flyers and announcements recognizing academic accomplishments of Live Oak student athletes.
"I've worked with quite a few ADs in my time, and I don't know of anyone that works harder for his student athletes than Mark Cummins," said Boden, now in his fourth year at Live Oak. "Teaching kids is the biggest strength he has."
Added McDonnell: "Being honored with Mark does add to it. We're counterparts as softball and baseball coaches, so that's nice. But it's also nice to be honored with someone as hard working as him."
One of the most impressive attributes Cummins and McDonnell share is genuine kindness. Both men will always give you a minute to talk, even if they have none to spare. It's the degree of hospitality that comes from benchmark coaches who love their school - and love what they do.
Scott Adams
Scott Adams covers Morgan Hill sports for South Valley Newspapers. Send him an email or call him at 779-4106.
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