Brooks has narrowed down the finalists for this year, it is time for you to vote! Help the New Jersey coach out on the ballots. Voting closes May 30th so act fast!

VOTE HERE!

Joel Heider

Vineland High School, New Jersey

“Some people define outstanding coaching by tallying wins versus losses. But when I think of an outstanding coach, Joel Heider goes far beyond the season’s record; he nurtures and develops his athletes as individuals,” wrote Heider’s fellow coach. Joe Heider coaches an extremely diverse group of student athletes who have many socioeconomic challenges in addition to academics and all the pressures of high school. However, writes his fellow coach, “time and time again, I see Coach Heider’s encouragement and faith push his athletes to new levels, and he celebrates with joy and tears with every one of his girls, whether they just won the county meet or ran their personal best race breaking 30 minutes.” In fact, Heider is well known for using his own money to support the needs of his athletes, and he works with area running clubs to provide additional food and practice gear to meet some of the pressing needs of his team. Heider will come alongside his athletes to support them through anything that is going on, whether it’s academic struggles, problems at home, or situations at school. In turn, he facilitates the process for them to extend such support to each other.”

Here is the Vineland HS team page if you would like to follow along with how they performed this year!