WILLIAMSBURG — Whitley County baseball coach Jeremy ashore received one of the highest honors a coach can receive after being informed by the National Federation High School Coaches Association (NFHSCA) that he was selected as the 2022-23 Section 2 Baseball Coach of the Year after guiding Whitley County to a 39-4 record, and the Kentucky state championship.
“You were specifically chosen by the NFHS Coaches Association Advisory Committee as the most deserving for this honor,” Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff, Executive Director of NFHS, said in a letter addressed to Shope. “This year’s honorees were selected based upon their coaching performance in the 2022-23 school year, community involvement, school involvement and philosophy of coaching. The NFHS relies on its member state associations to recognize those who are leading their sport, shaping their athletes, and contributing in a positive way to their community.
“Congratulations on being selected as the Section 2 Baseball Coach of the Year! It is our pleasure to recognize you as a leader and role model,” she added. “Again, thank you for your many contributions to the youth of our country and your community.”
Shope was more than happy when he found out he had won the award.
“It’s an honor for our program to win State Coach of the Year and now for our program to get recognized on the national level speaks volumes with what our program was able to accomplish,” he said. “There are so many people involved in this recognition — coaches and families, current players and families, alumni and families, administration, media, and our school and community. We are honored to represent Kentucky and the 606.”
