The National High School Athletic Coaches Association announced the advancement of Troy Saulsbury from Kearney High School as a finalist for the 2024 National High School Athletic Coaches Association national coach of the year in the sport of Tennis. Saulsbury is a native of Lexington.
“Coach Saulsbury’s record speaks for itself in so many ways. Not only his success in the competition world but his impact on the game of Tennis in Kearney and the entire state of Nebraska is noteworthy,” said Ryan Hogue, KPS Activities Director and KHS Assistant Principal. “He lives and breathes Tennis and has so much positive influence on the tennis community in all areas. I always joke with Coach that he is the athletic director of Bearcat Tennis because he is always so organized with his practices, facility needs and his communication to other teams, players and parents is very effective. We are very lucky to have Coach Saulsbury on the Bearcat Head Coaching staff and I am looking forward to continued success for both our girls and boys Bearcat Tennis programs under the guidance of Coach Saulsbury.”
Eight finalists from across the nation will be honored during The National Coach of the Year Awards Banquet which will take place at the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s national convention at the Bismarck Hotel and Convention Center in Bismarck, ND on the evening of June 26, 2024. The highlight of the banquet will be the naming of the NHSACA national coach of the year in nineteen recognized sports categories.
“I am humbled to be nominated for this prestigious award by my fellow coaches from across the state. It is an honor to be selected as one of eight finalists,” said Saulsbury.
Coach Troy Saulsbury was nominated for this national honor by the Nebraska Coaches’ Association. This selection was based on longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, championship years, and winning percentage. The nominees and finalists are evaluated by experts in the field of coaching using sport-specific rubrics to assign points in each category. The National High School Athletic Coaches Association is the oldest coaches association in the nation formed by coaches, for coaches, and has been recognizing national coaches of the year since 1978.
During Coach Saulsbury’s tenure as tennis coach, the KHS boys’ tennis team has accomplished:
2022 Boys State Tennis Runner-up
19 Conference Championships
5 Conference Runner-ups
35 Additional Invitational Team Championships
Finished in Top Ten at State 33 of 35 seasons as Head Coach at Kearney High
123-10 Boys Dual Record
187-19 Girls Dual Record
