photos by Charlie McDonald (charlie.mcdonald@surewestsports.com)
by Mike Finnerty (mike.finnerty@surewestsports.com)
Every year the Sac-Joaquin Section office announces it's Model Coaches, and this year's six honorees include Mike Takayama (Del Oro), Diane Heine (Christian Brothers), Kelly Rhoden (Nevada Union), Mike Papadopoulus (Vacaville), Janice Williams (Galt), and Roddy Svendsen (Atwater).
The Model Coach award, now in it's eighth year, is given to coaches in the section who are not only positive role models within their respective schools, but within their communities.
Takayama just started his 26th season as the Del Oro girl's basketball coach. It's a career that includes seven straight league titles and 13 over all, plus two section championships. Takayama was also the girl's softball coach for seven season putting together an impressive resume of two section championships and a mythical State Championship back in 1994.
For Papadopoulus, the head football coach for Vacaville, the announcement earlier this month came off the heels of Papadopoulus leading his Bulldogs team to a Division II section championship over Folsom just two days prior. Papadopoulus has been the head coach at Vacaville since 2005 and has now won three section titles.
Although Heine is most know for her time as the Christian Brothers girl's volleyball coach (2002 - 2007, and 2010 to present), Heine has also coached girl's golf, boy's volleyball, and softball. Heine led the Lady Falcons volleyball team to three straight Section Championships (2005- 2007).
Williams has coaches three different teams at Galt for at least 10 years, with the longest stint of 16 coming in volleyball. Williams was also the girl's golf coach for 12 years and softball coach for 10 years.
Rhoden has been involved with the Nevada Union girl's volleyball program since 1998, including the boys teams since 2000, and Roddy Svendsen of Atwater has been a staple of the aquatics program at the school, serving in various capacities since 1979.
Each coach will receive their plaque at a banquet set for April 17 in Lodi.