Photos and storyby Mike Maddock

Carolina Panthers Coach of the Week recipients from left to right: Tom Shuping (Grimley (NC)), Jim Ruark (Myers Park (NC)), David Pressley (Pisgah (NC)), Michael Mayer (Indian Land), David Howle (Bunn (NC)), Ron Duncan (Bamberg-Ehrhardt), Chris Deal (Alexander Central (NC)), Tom Brown (Maiden (NC)), David Berry (Blackville-Hilda), and Burton Able (Eau Claire). Tom Brown was awarded the 2005 Coach of the Year.

Eau Claire High School head football coach Burton Able is trying to make a difference in the lives of his players. On Sunday, December 11, he was rewarded for his efforts.

The Carolina Panthers recognized Coach Able and nine other high school coaches from SC and NC for their dedication to young people in a ceremony prior to the Panthers’ game with Tampa Bay.

The coaches were part of the Coach of the Week program. They received a $1,000 donation from Carolina Panthers Charities to their respective athletic departments earlier in the year and got a commemorative plaque and official Panthers hat during the ceremony.

Eau Claire head coach Burton Able displays his Coach of the Week award he received during pre-game festivities at the Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game December 11. Also during the ceremony, NC’s Maiden High School coach Tom Brown received Coach of the Year honors. Coach Brown received an additional $2,000 and a framed personalized Panthers jersey.

Coach Able said of his award, “To be recognized for our effort to build the student athletes into better individuals and citizens in our first year is a great feeling and honor for this coaching staff. To have people see you are trying to make a difference is a great motivator to continue the work in progress. All the coaches on this staff have been super loyal in promoting our values and that’s why I felt they should be rewarded for their efforts and loyalty.”

Coach Able purchased rain gear and wind shirts for his coaching staff with the donation.

The award was welcome recognition for Coach Able but he knows his Shamrocks have a long way to go before they can be considered one of the Midland’s elite programs. But as he says, “We have established the basic ground work needed to be successful in the future.”

Strength training is one of the keys. At the start of last season only three Shamrocks could bench press over 200 pounds. Coach Able now has 14 players eclipsing the 200 pound barrier. He is also looking to hire two coaches to fill his incomplete staff.

Shamrock stand–outs Angelo Brown and Trey Jacobs are moving on to college programs, but Able feels several in his returning talent pool could have break–out seasons in 2006. If so, look for Coach Able to return from Charlotte next year with a little more hardware.