By John Rohlf, The Message, assistant editor
Tara Schnur, head coach of Evansville’s Mater Dei High School girls flag football team, was recently named Colts Flag Football Coach of the Week.
In a Sept. 25 release, the Indianapolis Colts announced Schnur as the Week 5 Flag Coach of the Week. Schnur earned this recognition after being nominated by fellow coaches and athletic directors from the Indiana High School Girls Flag Football League. Mater Dei moved to 6-0 in their inaugural flag football season after earning wins over Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville and Castle High School in Newburgh.
“It was an unexpected surprise and honor to be named Coach of the Week,” Schnur said. “It was most definitely a reflection of the team’s early season success. With it being our first season, the girls’ performance on the field made people take notice.”
Schnur said it was “a little overwhelming” when thinking about teaching flag football and all the rules that were still being established to a group who had never played the sport before.
“The girls made it simple with their excitement for the sport and willingness to learn,” Schnur said. “All the credit goes to the girls and assistant coaches.”
Schnur said the Wildcat student athletes are eager to study and learn new routes, formations and multiple defenses, work hard in practice and enjoy competing. She said they have great team chemistry and play well together. She added assistant coaches Sam Fleming and Ethan Schnur are the best offensive and defensive coaches she could ask for.
“We all work together coaching, teaching and making decisions,” Schnur said. “We are enjoying being with this team and watching them grow in the sport.”
This season marks the second year the Colts are recognizing outstanding high school girls flag football coaches throughout Indiana. One coach is announced as an honoree each week. Coaches are evaluated on various factors, including the coach’s impact on the team, school and community, as well as the team’s performance. The honorees are nominated by their fellow league mates, consisting of coaches and athletic directors.
At the conclusion of the high school girls flag football season, each winning coach will receive a $1,000 donation from the NFL Foundation, as well as a commemorative plaque, the release states.