By Anthony Caruso
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/26/14
Whether you are a young kid, or a college athlete, you have coaches that help you grow as individuals.
And that’s the goal for Moorestown girls’ lacrosse head coach Deanna Knobloch. Earlier this month, Knobloch was recognized for her dedication and commitment to both high school and youth lacrosse players.
Knobloch, whose Quakers have been one of the top teams in the nation for over 20 years, received the Positive Coaching Alliance’s coveted Double-Goal Award. The award is presented by MaxPreps, a national high school publication owned by CBS Sports, for her impact on the lives of young athletes.
“I was shocked and I was overwhelmed,” said Knobloch. “I always find it extremely difficult to accept individual awards, because I do not do this job by myself.
“I have amazing assistant coaches and amazing athletes that have helped build this program. This award was a little more special because I was nominated by friends, and former parents, along with former players, and to reach these letters, I was so touched.
“I’m very proud to receive it. But personally, I don’t like to talk about these things, because it’s not all about me.”
Coach Knobloch did not say how many people nominated her for this award. But she said the players were asked to write letters, as well as an individual that helps run the Moorestown lacrosse team.
“My letter was able to help her win this award,” said Mel Becker, a Moorestown junior and Vanderbilt recruit. “It was easy to write about Mrs. Knobloch.
“There’s so much stuff that she does for us. She’s the main reason why our program is so successful. We work so hard every day for Mrs. Knobloch, and there’s nothing that we won’t do to help her and our team win.
“She does so much for us. It’s incomparable, as I’ve never experienced something like this before. She works so hard for every girl on the team, and she wants all of us to succeed. “
Coach Knobloch has been the Moorestown women’s lacrosse head coach for the past 22 years. During that time, she has recorded a 450-29-4 record, along with 17 state championships.
“She not only wants the players, but the team to succeed, and we do want to be successful, because of all her time and effort that she works with us,” Becker said. “We appreciate her time and work ethic so much.”
By receiving this prestigious honor, Coach Knobloch received a $250 prize and a trophy. Plus, she was mentioned on the Positive Coaching Alliance’s website and newsletters.
The award is presented to coaches whose teams win games, while also teaching their student-athletes about life lessons. Coach Knobloch was one of only two lacrosse coaches to receive this award nationally.
“She’s not only a great coach on the field, but she’s a great person fur us off the field,” said senior midfielder Marie McCool, a Moorestown senior and North Carolina signee. “Her speeches are amazing and after you hear one of her speeches, we want to win for her and we respect her so much for that.
“She also teaches us about life off the field. She’s helped shape me as to who I am today, both as a player and as a person.”
Jim Thompson, who is the founder and CEO of the Positive Coaching Alliance, said that coach Knobloch helps youth athletes win on the field and off. By creating a positive, character-building youth sports experience, and serving as a Double-Goal Coach, Deanna helps youth develop into better athletes and better people.
“She has helped me and the fellow seniors prepare for college,” said McCool. “And she treats us how college coaches would treat us. I have an older sister, who is in college at Oregon, and Mrs. Knobloch really helped her a lot. She is also helping me transition to college, as well. She not only is a good coach and wants us to win but she helps us prepare for our future, as well.”
Moorestown has won 51 straight games and two consecutive Tournament of Champions titles as the top team in New Jersey in all Groups (classes). The Quakers are ranked No. 2 in the Brine/TopLaxRecruits North America Rankings.
“I think it definitely does, as Moorestown as been known as a top women’s lacrosse team in the nation,” said Becker. “This is an award on the national scale, but she definitely deserves it.
“She deserves every award that she wins. We wouldn’t be nationally ranked without Mrs. Knobloch and the other assistant coaches. Without them, we wouldn’t be the nationally ranked team that we are, and she may never have received this prestigious award that she received from the Positive Coaching Alliance.”
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