2006 Coach of the Year

Soni Latz
Ovid Elsie High School

Fifteen CCCAM Coaches from across the state were recognized in 2006 at the regional level. The Competitive Cheer Coach of the Year, Sonya Latz, was selected from these nominees. Soni shares the following information about herself and coaching.

Family:
My husband’s name is Mark and we have three sons, Josh, age 23, Jason, age 21, and Joey, age 18.  I have enjoyed my 17 years at Ovid-Elsie HS, but have retired to watch my boys play their collegiate sports and to watch my oldest begin his coaching career.

Coaching Background:
I was a six-year cheerleader at Ovid-Elsie.  I cheered one year at Saginaw Valley State University and for the Wyoming Wildcatters (a CBA team in Casper, Wyoming). I have coached 17 years at OE, where I work as a library specialist.  I am also an owner/teacher at a dance studio in town.  My teams have bee five time MHSAA state qualifiers and State Champions in 2004 and 2005.  I am a proud founding member of CCCAM, a member of the Champion Board of Coaches, and registered MHSAA official.

I began coaching because I love working with young people and I love cheerleading.  It was my goal to have the cheerleaders respected on the same playing field as the other sports in our school.  Positive reinforcement was the key to reaching this goal.  The more I believed in them, the more they believed in themselves, and the more serious and harder they worked.  The power of positive words is immeasurable.  I also believe that as a coach—it only makes you a better coach to be kind, respectful, and helpful to other coaches.  We lead by example.  We have little eyes and ears watching and listening at all times. 

Thank you all for many wonderful memories and for honoring me with the Coach of the Year award.