The CHARACTER COUNTS! Coach of the Year Award honors a worthy recipient who embodies the Six Pillars of Character®: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. Rather than spotlight winning records and isolated acts of heroism or generosity, the award was conceived to recognize individuals whose coaching lives and achievements demonstrates an enduring commitment to any or all of the following qualities associated with good character.
The 2018 recipient of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coach of the Year is Kirk Schmaltz of Ames High School. In recognition of this honor, a $1,000 cash award will be made to the Ames athletic department to further enhance character development initiatives. He will be honored on Friday night at the Girls State Basketball Tournament.
Schmaltz has been coaching for 40 years and the last 35 at Ames High School. He has been the girls’ cross country coach since 1983 and guided the Little Cyclone track and field team for 16 seasons. Four of his athletes captured track and cross country state championship titles under his leadership. He has won conference coach of the year seven times and regional cross country coach of the year 17 times. In 2011, the NFHS named Kirk the Regional and State Track and Field Coach of the Year.
Schmaltz has been very active in the Iowa Association of Track Coaches. He is a past-president in the organization, serving on numerous committees. He currently serves on the IGHSAU/IHSAA joint cross country advisory committee.
Schmaltz and his wife, Rhonda have two daughters; Stephanie and Katie.
