McLaughlin is coach of the year

Class A speech coaches from across Montana have chosen Pat McLaughlin, head speech and debate coach at Whitefish High School, as the 2009 Coach of the Year.

This is the first time a White-fish speech and debate coach has been recognized for this honor.

But this is the second state award for McLaughlin. She also won the coach of the year award in 1991, when she was head coach at Polson High School.

The award recipient is chosen by Class A coaches throughout Montana.

“Each coach receives a ballot at the Divisional Tournament and can nominate someone from that division,” McLaughlin said.

Each division’s chairperson totals the ballots and forwards the result to the Montana High School Association, which is in charge of the final tallying.

A ballot bearing the names of the four coaches with the most votes is then sent to the coaches for a final vote.

Coaches consider an individual’s overall philosophy, team success and how well that person works with other coaches and facilitates the program in the state, McLaughlin said.

The state award is sponsored by the Montana Forensic Educators Association.

McLaughlin has coached for three years at Whitefish. The team has placed third and second for the last two years. State champions have included a strong showing in Lincoln/Douglas debate, original oratory, policy debate and humorous interpretation.

McLaughlin coached for 12 years at Polson. Her resume also includes prior coaching experience at Glasgow and a four-year term as Montana Forensic Educators Association president.

This is the second consecutive year that a speech and debate coach and a drama coach from Northwest Montana were chosen coaches of the year. Winning this year’s drama accolades is Judie Woodhouse, McLaughlin’s coaching colleague from Polson.

Last year, overdue acknowledgments went to speech and debate coach Michael Christensen of Columbia Falls and drama coach Shelley Fisher from Libby.

“I feel honored and humbled to be in their company,” McLaughlin said.