Coach of the Year Award
Greater Wichita YMCA volunteer youth sports coaches go above and beyond to guide the next generation.
They go by many titles:
- Fun director
- Hype Boss
- Hero
- Director of High Fives
- Mentor
Y coaches are part of a long list of leaders who have helped make sports a defining part of the YMCA’s identity.
The nominees for 2025 Coach of the Year have been described as …
“The glue that keeps the team together, focusing on confidence rather than the scoreboard.”
“A positive role model who makes it fun for kids to show up to every practice or game.”
“A trusted adult who consistently emphasizes skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship and confidence.”
Every volunteer coach at the Y is a history-maker in the lives of the kids they mentor before, during and after games. We recognize these nominees for being a true role model:
- Brittney Cuer, Andover
- Austin Peterson, East
- Derek Denner, El Dorado
- Nate Atkinson, Farha Sports Centers (Basketball)
- Taylor Beals and Khloe Blackwell, Hutchinson
- Tim Kliewer, McPherson
- Mitchell Martin, Newton
- Sidney Burris, North
- Bill Hageman, Northwest
- Kelly Hardwell, South
Winner: Kelly Hardwell (picture above on the right)
Coach Kelly Hardwell has been a cornerstone of the South YMCA basketball program for the last four years, bringing exceptional knowledge of basketball to the program, along with humility, positivity and genuine care for his players.
He coached his first team of fourth graders through their seventh-grade year, laying a foundation of skill development, teamwork and fair and friendly play. Since then, he has continued to expand his impact by taking on three additional teams, with athletes ranging from pre-K to fifth grade, introducing new generations to the game and the values of the YMCA.
Equally important is Coach Hardwell’s leadership among his peers He fosters collaboration and camaraderie among volunteer coaches, helping build a true coaching community at the South Y. This spirit was especially evident during the 2025 Fall II season, when his fourth and fifth grade girls team regularly scrimmaged with the fourth and fifth grade boys team that practiced one court over.
Beyond basketball, Coach Hardwell exemplifies the mission of the Greater Wichita YMCA by helping to lead youth fundraising efforts. His commitment reflects a deep understanding of the importance of the Strong Community Campaign and its impact on Wichita youth.
Volunteer of the Year Award
There’s a modern proverb: Few things stand the test of time — and those that do, do so for a reason.
Without a doubt, our volunteers are the reason the YMCA is the strong organization it is today. Just think about how far we’ve come.
Across the nation, YMCAs are currently celebrating 175 years of the YMCA and 175 years of being a volunteer-led organization.
In the Wichita area, the Y started at a time when most local travel still relied on horse-drawn carriages.
Amid so much change, there’s been one constant.
Across every generation, volunteers have carried the Y forward. That spirit of service lives on today.
Y volunteers are part of the legacy of A.A. Hyde, who helped found the Wichita YMCA in 1885 and served as president twice. (Fun fact: A.A. Hyde was the inventor of Mentholatum.)
A.A. Hyde’s main goal in life was to give away nearly as much as he made, and that included donating land to start Camp Hyde in 1924 and mortgaging his College Hill home to fulfill his $5,000 pledge to the 1887 Y building fund.
He wrote shortly before his death, “I have been put on a pedestal and complimented for simply doing what I think the normal man ought to do and what Christ taught that he ought to do.”
Thank you to all of our volunteers for sharing A.A. Hyde’s selflessness and devotion to community.
We proudly recognize the nominees for the 2025 Volunteer of the Year award:
- Troy Davis, Andover
- Karen Hager, Camp
- Kylie Hurtig, Child Care
- Phylicia Thompson, Community Development
- Roz Hutchinson, Downtown
- Mary Borst, East
- Dave Adams, El Dorado
- Mike Folks, Hutchinson
- Rory Rieserson, McPherson
- Todd Tangeman, Metro
- Leroy Koehn, Newton
- Scott Swindler, North
- Joel Elsea, Northwest
- Kent Kruse, South
- Ann Foley, West
- John Ford, Steve Clark
Winner: Leroy Koehn (picture above on the left)
Leroy Koehn has been a pillar of the Newton YMCA Advisory Board since 2021, and currently serves as Advisory Board Chair. His steadfast leadership, encouragement and service is an asset to both the Y and our greater community.
Known for asking others, “What is one good thing you experienced today?” Leroy consistently brings positivity, perspective and purpose into every room he enters. His commitment to the YMCA, his faith and the people of Newton is evident in everything he does.
Leroy is selfless, highly motivated and genuinely cares for those around him. He wears many hats in our community and has played a significant role in connecting local businesses and community partners to the YMCA.
As one of Newton’s top campaigners and a passionate advocate for our mission, Leroy brings people together to strengthen our community. We are deeply thankful for his hard work, his heart for service and the lasting impact he continues to make.