Most Inspiring High School Coach

BOTHELL, Wash. – (September 24, 2012) – 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 over 30 years ago earned him the title of 2012 Brooks Inspiring Coach of the Year.

Leading running company Brooks Sports, Inc. has 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.”

“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.”

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.”

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.

Coach Raley reigns among an impressive group of 25 finalists who were announced in July. Other honorees include:

Pete Boudreaux, Catholic High School (Baton Rouge, LA)
Jerry Loveall, Velma-Alma High School (Velma, OK)
Mark Buesing, Libertyville High School (Libertyville, IL)
Kay Nekota, Vacaville High School (Vacaville, CA)
Mike Buslepp, Romeo High School (Romeo, MI)
John O’Malley, Carl Sandburg High School (Orland Park, IL)
Hernando Chavez, Taos High School (Taos, NM)
Israel Pose, Torrance High School (Torrance, CA)
Christian Cuthbert, Veritas School (Richmond, VA)
Joseph Prince, Sahuarita High School (Sahuarita, AZ)
Jeremy Darby, Landrum High School (Campobello, SC)
Wayne Roberts, Sandusky High School (Sandusky, MI)
David Davis, Mountain View High School (Stafford, VA)
Dan Scroggins, Lake City Community School (Lake City, CO)
Julie Fink, Runnels High School (Baton Rouge, LA)
Mark Shafer, Chardon High School (Chardon, OH)
Scott Griggs, Franklin High School (Seattle, WA)
Arthemon Sindayigaya, Abilene Christian High School (Abilene, TX)
Eric Heintz, Marist School (Atlanta, GA)
Ben Talsma, Crossroads Charter Academy (Big Rapids, MI)
Marcus Jackson, Sheffield High School (Memphis, TN)
Melissa Thomas, Manchester Valley High School (Manchester, MD)
Victoria Jones, Mill Springs Academy (Alpharetta, GA)
Connie Washnik, Park Ridge High School (Park Ridge, NJ)

Each of the Inspiring
Coaches finalists will receive $5000 in Brooks performance
running footwear, apparel, and accessories, $500 in cash for
additional team expenses, and membership into the Brooks Inspire
Daily (I.D.) program. For more information about 2012 Brooks Inspiring
Coach of the Year Paul Raley and all of the top 25 Inspiring
Coaches finalists, visit: www.brooksrunning.com/inspiringcoaches