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Kansas prep coach honored by Army
Barta has built football dynasty, recognized as 'leader of young men'
By JOE DRAPE
THE NEW YORK TIMES
For 30 years, Roger Barta has been a football coach in tiny Smith Center, Kan. -- one good enough to win seven high school championships. On Thursday, his success was recognized far beyond the plains when the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee named him the national coach of the year.
Barta has built a powerhouse behind the wishbone offense and a summer weight program that begins in junior high school. The Smith Center Redmen won the Kansas Class 3A title in 1982, 1986 and 1999, and Class 2-1A state championships from 2004 to 2007. They have won 54 games in a row, and they outscored their opponents this season, 844-20.
"It has been a marvelous year," Barta, 62, said by telephone Thursday from San Antonio, where he was honored. "I really share this with my community, my school and all the great kids that I have had the privilege to teach and coach. If you live long enough, good things happen to you."
Along the way, Barta has compiled a record of 276-58.
But Col. David Lee of the Army made it clear in a statement that Barta was selected as much for his teaching skills as for his coaching prowess.
"The U.S. Army proudly presents Roger Barta as a leader of young men and an excellent example of Army values," said Lee, who is the director of strategic communications, marketing and outreach for the Army Accessions Command. "One of the keys to the strength of an American soldier is the development of leadership skills acquired during their training and leveraged during service to America and beyond."
Barta's seniors, for example, are featured on trading cards that are popular among elementary school children in the town of 1,931. Each player signs a contract pledging to remain alcohol-, drug- and tobacco-free. If they break that promise, they must go to the elementary school to explain to the children why they were kicked off their team. Their cards also are revoked.
Barta has had offers to move up and on, but he has remained in northern Kansas and watched dozens of his athletes go to play college football. One, Mark Simoneau, is a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints.
Kansas prep coach honored by Army
Barta has built football dynasty, recognized as 'leader of young men'
By JOE DRAPE
THE NEW YORK TIMES
For 30 years, Roger Barta has been a football coach in tiny Smith Center, Kan. -- one good enough to win seven high school championships. On Thursday, his success was recognized far beyond the plains when the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee named him the national coach of the year.
Barta has built a powerhouse behind the wishbone offense and a summer weight program that begins in junior high school. The Smith Center Redmen won the Kansas Class 3A title in 1982, 1986 and 1999, and Class 2-1A state championships from 2004 to 2007. They have won 54 games in a row, and they outscored their opponents this season, 844-20.
"It has been a marvelous year," Barta, 62, said by telephone Thursday from San Antonio, where he was honored. "I really share this with my community, my school and all the great kids that I have had the privilege to teach and coach. If you live long enough, good things happen to you."
Along the way, Barta has compiled a record of 276-58.
But Col. David Lee of the Army made it clear in a statement that Barta was selected as much for his teaching skills as for his coaching prowess.
"The U.S. Army proudly presents Roger Barta as a leader of young men and an excellent example of Army values," said Lee, who is the director of strategic communications, marketing and outreach for the Army Accessions Command. "One of the keys to the strength of an American soldier is the development of leadership skills acquired during their training and leveraged during service to America and beyond."
Barta's seniors, for example, are featured on trading cards that are popular among elementary school children in the town of 1,931. Each player signs a contract pledging to remain alcohol-, drug- and tobacco-free. If they break that promise, they must go to the elementary school to explain to the children why they were kicked off their team. Their cards also are revoked.
Barta has had offers to move up and on, but he has remained in northern Kansas and watched dozens of his athletes go to play college football. One, Mark Simoneau, is a linebacker for the New Orleans Saints.
