Published on February 2, 2026 1:59 pm
Last Updated on February 2, 2026 1:59 pm
As a part of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coach of the Year program, the IHSA administrative staff annually honors 33 individuals as NFHS Coaches of the Year in their respective sports and activities. Coaches of the Year are selected based on the results of the previous school year, as well as other elements such as career success, positive leadership, sportsmanship, and contributions to the sport.
State coaches of the year then provide further information for the NFHS, which is reviewed by a national committee who selects eight Section winners in each sport and one National winner in each sport. Illinois is located in NFHS Section 4 along with Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin.
The IHSA is honored to have eight individuals who were recognized at the national level this year, including the NFHS Spirit Coach of the Year, Eugenia Scavone (right) from Montini Catholic in Lombard.
Seven others were named Section winners, including Gina Benhoff (Adaptive/Allied/Unified, Breese Central), Dempsey Witte (Girls Basketball, Nashville), Denise Caton (Girls Gymnastics, Vernon Hills), Matt McNiff (Girls Lacrosse, Hinsdale Central), Andrew Kittrell (Girls Swimming & Diving, Fremd), Patrick Gornik (Girls Tennis, Dunlap), and Peter Wintermute (Girls Track & Field, Prospect).
“These coaches represent the very best of education-based athletics and activities in Illinois,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “Their success is measured not only by championships and competitive excellence, but by the positive leadership, sportsmanship, and lasting impact they have on students. We are especially proud to see Coach Eugenia Scavone recognized as the NFHS Spirit Coach of the Year, along with our seven other national section honorees, as they exemplify how coaches can shape lives and strengthen school communities well beyond the playing surface.”
Since 1991, Eugenia Scavone has led the “Broncettes” Dance Team at Montini Catholic High School. In that time, Scavone’s teams have excelled in the ‘pom’ category at state competitions earning the program’s first state championship at the 1994 Illinois Drill Team Association (IDTA) meet. Overall, she led her teams to 10 IDTA state championships, including six consecutive from 2003 to 2008. The Broncettes have since earned two runner-up finishes in 2020-21 and 2021-22 as the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) began sanctioning competitive dance in 2012. Scavone was inducted into the Montini Catholic Hall of Fame in 2003 and the IDTA Hall of Fame in 2008. As a former Broncette herself, Scavone is very involved in growing the program, especially through youth outreach. She believes her role is to develop each team member into the best version of themselves and help them gain life lessons that will shape them long after they leave the program.
“I am passionate about coaching high school dance because it allows me to make a positive impact on young dancers during an important time in their lives,” said Scavone. “I want these dancers to have meaningful, memorable experiences they can share with their families for years to come. Through dance, they not only grow as performers, but also learn valuable life lessons such as discipline, teamwork, confidence, and perseverance that extend far beyond the dance floor.”