Andy Lowry, who coaches football for Columbine High School, has won Positive Coaching Alliance’s coveted Double-Goal Coach Award presented by TeamSnap for his positive impact on youth athletes.

Lowry is one of 50 national recipients of the Double-Goal Coach award, named for coaches who strive to win while also pursuing the more important goal of teaching life lessons through sports. The award includes a $200 prize, a certificate, and mention within the websites and newsletters of Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA), a national non-profit developing Better Athletes, Better People through youth and high school sports.

“Andy helps his players win on and off the field,” said Linda Crum, Executive Director of PCA-Colorado, the local Chapter of Positive Coaching Alliance. “By creating a positive, character-building youth sports experience and serving as a Double-Goal Coach, Andy helps youth develop into better athletes and better people.”

Despite having led Columbine to five state championships in his career, Lowry values winning much less than other forms of success. “The number one goal is the impact you make in young people’s lives,” he said. “When you take care of the kids and you try to build young people, the winning takes care of itself. Winning is never the ultimate goal by any means. It’s a product of doing things right with the kids. If you win, and you’re not developing quality young people, then winning is worthless.”

In team meetings, Lowry emphasizes life lessons and the development of positive character traits. “Sports, especially football, can teach the work ethic you have to bring to every aspect of your life, from your job to your marriage to being a father to being a good employee to being a good friend,” Lowry said. “You can learn leadership and decision-making and how to be a great teammate and be a part of something that’s bigger than yourself.”

Lowry’s approach illustrates the role coaches can play in the development of youth, Crum said. “Our Chapter’s employees, board and supporters are thrilled that Coach Lowry is getting national recognition for his work at Columbine High School. Having Andy as an award-winning Double-Goal Coach in our community provides an example for other coaches to emulate, so thousands more youth and high school athletes in our area can benefit from a positive, character-building sports experience.”