Most Inspiring High School Running Coach

In this special series, we’ll take a brief look at various different fearless inspirations from the past week or so. Whether it’s a fearless young changemaker who is taking risks, a new publication that expresses bold and innovative ideas, or an organization that is promoting change and that is not afraid to fail forward—we want to shine a spotlight on them and their work in the hope that it will spark a new movement to Be Fearless.

As Jean Case, CEO of the Case Foundation says, “The old way of doing things is simply no longer effective in this new world. It’s time for us all to take risks on new ideas, approaches, and initiatives. It’s time for us to be bold, to act with urgency, and to resist the tendency to let caution be our guide. It’s time for us to Be Fearless.” Will you join us?

Brooks Sports Crowns Nation’s Most Inspiring High School Running Coach

Content provided by Brooks Sports, Inc.

Inspiring his athletes, school administration, and his community to Run Happy with his own selfless commitment and passion for track makes Coach Paul Raley stand out from the pack. A willingness to volunteer personal time and pay out of pocket to restart the track and field program at the high school where his coaching career began more than 30 years ago earned him the title of 2012 Brooks Inspiring Coach of the Year.

Brooks Sports, Inc. today announced Coach Paul Raley from Benton High School in Benton, Wis., its 2012 most inspiring coach. In nominations from his runners, fellow coaches and community members, Raley was described as someone who “loves the sport and passes that love along to his athletes” and whose “dedication and commitment to his athletes serve as inspiration to all who know him.”

Coach Raley has inspired more than just his athletes on the track—his drive has united schools and communities. He single-handedly funded the Benton High School track program for more than four years, and that commitment is motivating the school district to fully fund the program in 2013. He also created a co-op track program with the neighboring Scales Mound High School in Illinois, giving it the long-awaited opportunity to have a track team for the first time. His daily efforts include searching out available practice locations—neither high school has a track—recruiting other volunteer coaches and increasing team participation to a third of the school’s total enrollment.

“I am so touched and thankful to be named the 2012 Brooks Inspiring Coach of the Year,” said Coach Raley after receiving his award to a standing ovation during a community pep rally at Benton High School. “It’s rewarding to hear I’ve made such a positive impact on so many of my athletes. With all the amazing coaches across the U.S., I am humbled to receive this great honor.”

“We created the Brooks Inspiring Coaches program to recognize the unsung heroes in our sport who hit the track and trails every day to make a lifelong impact in the lives of young runners,” said Jim Weber, president and CEO of Brooks Sports, Inc.

“Inspirational coaches teach lessons on the run that go well beyond the next race or even the next year. We believe it’s important to reward these individuals for the impact their knowledge, time and guidance make in helping their teams achieve both athletic and personal greatness well beyond high school.”

As the 2012 Brooks Inspiring Coach of the Year, Coach Raley receives $12,500 in Brooks performance running gear and cash for his school. He also gets an invitation for two to attend the 2013 Brooks PR Invitational, a national track meet where the fastest high school runners compete against one another and chase their personal records.