Gladu receives the Zoltek Award for Coaching

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- MCLA baseball coach Mike Gladu Saturday was recognized with the Frank A. Zoltek Passion for Coaching Award.

 

"Words and phrases like knowledgeable, organized, discipline, communication, family, work ethic, tough love, relationships, cares, life lessons, unwavering high character,'and makes you feel special,' were only some that were used to describe the Coach," said Ed Noel, who presented the "Frankie" to Gladu in a ceremony before the Trailblazers played their fall double-header.

 

Amonth those who spoke at Saturday's ceremony were Noel, Tito Snezek, Quinn Gladu, former player Rya Shook and coach Robert Jutras.

 

The Passion for Coaching Award, known as "The Frankie," honors Zoltek, a longtime high school and college coach in several sports, who coached basketball at Drury and the former St. Joseph High School, coaching four teams to Western Massachusetts titles. Past winners have included:

 

2007 - Bill Robinson

2008 - Ray Miro

2009 - Bob LeClair and Bob Rivard

2010 - Jack Racette, Holly McGovern, Paul Barrett

2011 - Ed Noel and Erika DeSanty

2012 - George Canales and Steve Phaneuf

2013 - Shawn Flaherty

2014 - Al Giorgi and Mike Larabee

2015 - Blair Dils, Hilary and Hiram Greene, Steve Messina

2016 - Paul Sniezek and Ron Wojcik

2017 - John Jacobbe

2018 - Larry Bell, Mike Dowling