IHS Head Swimming and Diving Coach, Sarah Brown, has been selected as the 2023-2024 National Federation of State High School Associations/Pennsylvania Boys' Swimming & Diving Coach of the Year. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Board of Directors recently informed Dan Roan, Athletic Director of the Indiana Area School District, of Coach Brown’s notable achievement.
This selection was based, in part, upon the success of the Swimming & Diving program during the 2023-2024 school year. The boys’ team ended the season as the 2024 PIAA AA Swimming and Diving champions, and numerous IHS swimmers earned individual titles and honors.
Coach Brown could now be considered for Coach of the Year honors at the national level through the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSH). The NFHS has been recognizing coaches since 1982 and honors coaches in the top 10 girls’ sports and top 10 boys’ sports, based on participation numbers.
“We would like to thank NFHS for this incredible opportunity, and I would like to congratulate Coach Brown on this accomplishment,” said Roan.
“She is such a dedicated coach to the program and the student-athletes, along with everything in between. Her hours upon hours of hard work and commitment do not go unnoticed.”
He added that she was initially confused when he called in the middle of the day and out of season. When she understood the reason for the call, her excitement was evident and genuine.
“I am proud of the program’s success, not only from her coaching standpoint, but from our student-athletes, assistant coaches, booster program and parents together,” added Roan.
The honor is a first in Indiana Area Senior High School history.