OU’s Sherri Coale Awarded UN Peace Award

Originally Published: Dec 15, 2010 10:36 AM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

ATLANTA – University of Oklahoma women’s basketball coach Sherri Coale was honored by the Inaugural 2010 United Nations NGO Positive Peace Award in the Sports Coach Category.

"Celebrate Positive congratulates Sherri Coale for exemplifying what giving back to the community means" said Scott Pederson, President and CEO, Celebrate Positive. "Coach Coale's positive impact goes beyond the Oklahoma community. Her concern for the international community has inspired her players and Sooner fans everywhere".

Coale was nominated by Journey Church in Norman for her efforts off the court in encouragingher team to help Haiti earthquake victims in Port au Prince.
Coale alsoparticipated inefforts to raise money to build a hospital for victims of the January earthquake through banquets, auctions and appearances.

"Coach Coale cares deeply about her players and shows concern for their development off of the basketball court", said Adam Barnett of Journey Church. "The Haiti trip is a perfect example of the kind of leadership she provides her players, and the positive impact she has on the world".

In the coaches category Coale is joined by other big name coaches such as Jon Calipari of Kentucky and Bill Self from the University of Kansas.

"Sherri Coale is uniquely gifted as a leader, teacher, and mentor," said OU Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Programs and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione. "Her coaching accomplishments highlighted by significant numbers of victories and championships are overwhelming, but no more so than the profound impact she has had on the lives of those she has coached.

"Sherri takes a unique interest in their personal development and I am often impressed at the way young people grow and mature under her guidance. As a former classroom educator, she places great emphasis on academic performance and it shows in the outstanding grade point averages and graduation rates we see in her program.

The award, announced by Celebrate Positive, recognizes individuals, businesses, coaches, sports teams, entertainers and schools around the world for their positive contributions.

The 2010 Positive Peace Award nominees are judged by the United Nations NGO (Non-Governmental Organizations) Voting Academy comprised of highly respected United Nations NGOs, such as Rotary International, Pathways to Peace, and Sister Cities International. The Voting Academy will use established criteria of a coach's community involvement and impact on their community to determine this year's winner.

The winner of the sports categories for 2010 United Nations NGO Positive Peace Award will be announced in December.

To view the full lost of nominees click here.