Kevin Boles Named Words Unlimited Co-Coach of the Year
Published on January 29, 2015 under International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release
Words Unlimited, the statewide organization of sports writers, sportscasters and sports publicists, will hold its 69th annual Sports Awards Banquet on Sunday, March 1 at The West Valley Inn, 4 Blossom St. in West Warwick.
The reception will begin at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5:45 p.m.
Tickets are priced at $30 each and may be obtained by contacting Words Unlimited President John Parente at 401-826-0555 or any Words Unlimited member.
A silent auction also will be held to support the Words Unlimited Scholarship Fund.
Memorabilia up for auction will include items donated by the Boston Celtics, the Pawtucket Red Sox, the New York Jets and the New Jersey Devils as well as several framed photos (autographed and not autographed) by Sports & More which is located in the Providence Place Mall.
Cash and checks are accepted for all items (no credit cards, please).
Following is a list of award recipients for the 2014 calendar year:
Amby Smith Award, Ken Hopkins - CCRI's all-time winningest baseball coach, Johnston's Ken Hopkins has a career record of 354-164-1. Hopkins led CCRI to the 2012 World Series (33-13) and in 2005 the Knights finished 10th in the NJCAA national rankings. CCRI annexed New England Division II championships in 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2012.
Frank Lanning Award, Jane Hale - Jane Hale coached freshman, junior varsity and varsity girls' basketball for 11 years at Middletown High. She also coached the women's varsity basketball and tennis teams and served as director of women's athletics at Salve Regina. Hale has earned numerous accolades over the years for her role in advancing women's sports.
Bill Cawley Award, John Rock - Now in his 27th season in Providence College's Sports Medicine Department, John Rock was an Associate Head Athletic Trainer for 13 years before he was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine in 2001 and then to Associate Athletic Director in 2010.
Hall of Fame inductee, Bill Reynolds - Bill Reynolds has been a Providence Journal sports columnist since 1984 and has won several New England and national writing awards. He's written or co-authored 12 books including three that have appeared on national best-seller lists. His Saturday "For what it's worth" column has developed into "must reading."
Male Athlete of the Year, Bryce Cotton - Guard Bryce Cotton led Providence College to its first Big East basketball title since 1994 and its first NCAA Tournament since 2004. Cotton was named a 2014 AP Honorable Mention All-American, the Big East Tournament's Most Outstanding Player and a First Team All-Best East selection.
Female Athlete of the Year, Molly Huddle - Providence's Molly Huddle recorded PRs at seven distances from the mile to the half-marathon in 2014. She won four national titles on the road and annexed her second national 5000-meter title.
Men's Sports Co-Coach of the Year, Kevin Boles - In his first year as the Pawtucket Red Sox manager, Kevin Boles led his team to the 2014 Governors' Cup championship. The PawSox sent 25 players to Boston in 2014 and used 66 different players throughout the season. Boles had to guide the PawSox through 225 player transactions while using 150 different lineups in 153 games en route to winning the Cup.
Men's Sports Co-Coach of the Year, Craig Stewart - Craig Stewart guided the soccer Friars to their first Big East title and first College Cup Appearance where they eventually reached the national semifinals. Five Friars earned All-Region honors, six earned All-Big East honors and Phil Towler was accorded All-American honors.
Women's Sports Coach of the Year, Shayne Lotito - In her first year as Bryant University's softball coach, Shayne Lotito led the Bulldogs to a program-record 32-victory season, their first Northeast Conference regular-season title, their first NEC Tournament championship and their first NCAA Tournament since the university became a Division I institution in 2008.
Team of the Year, Providence College men's soccer - The Friars wrapped last season as the most successful team in program history by winning Providence's first Big East title and appearing in its first College Cup. The team also posted the most victories (16) in program history and advanced to the NCAA Tournament semifinals.
Small College Achievement Award, Roger Williams University women's rugby team - For the second time in school history, the RWU women's rugby team won the national championship for small college women's rugby. The Hawks were 7-0 during the regular season and outscored their opponents 416-32 with four shutouts.
Story of the Year, Cumberland American Little League All-Stars - The Cumberland American All-Stars captured the Rhode Island and New England Little League championships which earned them a trip to the 75th Little League World Series. Manager Dave Belisle was one of 20 nominees for Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year." He also was one of nine people to receive the Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award for Sportsmanship.
Ben Mondor Community Service Award, Brown University wrestler Billy Watterson - The executive director and founder of Beat the Streets Providence, Billy Watterson took a year off from his studies in 2013-14 to found the non-profit organization which brings wrestling programs to urban youth. Watterson has helped bring structure and a positive environment to Providence middle schools' after-school setting.
Schoolboy Athlete of the Year, John Toppa - The MVP of the Division I Super Bowl champion Hendricken Hawks, John Toppa scored three touchdowns and passed for another in the state title game against La Salle. He led the Hawks to their fifth consecutive state title by passing for 1,115 yards and rushing for 946 yards.
Schoolgirl Athlete of the Year, Maddy Berkson - Maddy Berkson is the most decorated female athlete in Classical High history. Once again she played an integral role in the Purple's run to the state outdoor track and field championship. The Distance MVP, she broke one of her four outdoor state records en route to winning the 1500. She also won the 800. The Stanford freshman owns four indoor state records.
Schoolboy Sports Coach of the Year, Dave Cote - Smithfield High's Dave Cote led the Sentinels to the boys' state swimming championship. In the process, Smithfield broke Hendricken's 24-year reign as boys' state champion. Smithfield accomplished this feat without winning any individual events but relied on its depth.
Schoolgirl Sports Coach of the Year, Josh Bednarczyk - The four-time Division II champion Exeter-West Greenwich volleyball team captured its first Division I state title by defeating three-time defending state champion Coventry in the finals. The Scarlet Knights finished with a 17-0 record.
International League Stories from January 29, 2015
- Single-Game Tickets Set to Go on Sale on Saturday, February 21 - Charlotte Knights
- Kevin Boles Named Words Unlimited Co-Coach of the Year - Pawtucket Red Sox
- 2015 Hot Stove Party, Saturday, February 7th - Pawtucket Red Sox
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