Donn Behnke, coach of the Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) boys cross-country team, has been selected as the National High School Coach of the Year in the sport of cross-country by the National High School Coaches Association. The committee reviewed hundreds of coaches from the throughout the United States prior to making the selection.
"You have not only distinguished yourself as the best of the best for your athletic achievements, you have also brought a tremendous honor to your family, school and community," said Bob Ferraro, executive director of the National High School Coaches Association.
In March, Behnke's former students and their families, friends, relatives and colleagues established the Donn Behnke Scholarship Fund as a Seed-A-Future Fund at the Community Foundation of Portage County.
The fund commemorates Behnke's induction into the Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame in 2000 and his 25 years of commitment to the SPASH cross-country team and student athletes.
Under Behnke, SPASH teams have been consistently among the best in the state and received national recognition. The Behnke Scholarship will be awarded annually to a SPASH graduate who has been a member of the SPASH boys cross-country team.
Donations to the Donn Behnke Scholarship Fund can be forwarded to the Community Foundation of Portage County, PO Box 968, Stevens Point, Wis. All contributions are tax deductible.
The mission of the Community Foundation of Portage County is to help make Portage County a better place in which to grow, to work, to play and to retire - by helping people, enhancing education, enriching culture, contributing to wellness and improving the environment through financial management of gifts and grants from individuals and organizations.
For more information about the Community Foundation of Portage County, contact the Community Foundation at 342-4454.