The Swope, Rodante Vanguard Award Selection Board is pleased to announce that Plant High School Football Coach Robert Weiner, will be the keynote speaker for the fourth annual Swope, Rodante Vanguard End of the Year Awards Banquet taking place on Wednesday, May 27th from 6:00pm-8:00pm at The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, located at 2117 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605. Local student athletes, coaches, city officials and members of the Selection Board are expected to attend the celebration. In his keynote address, Weiner will honor the achievements, community involvement and outstanding performances of this year’s nominated student-athletes and coaches.
Hillsborough High School’s Head Football Coach Earl Garcia will participate as the Master of Ceremonies during the celebratory evening in recognition of an exceptional year over dinner and entertainment. The event will highlight the two winners of the Coach of the Year Awards, who will receive $1000, and the overall student athlete winner of the MVP Award, who will receive $500 towards college tuition.
Throughout the 2014-2015 school year, The Swope, Rodante Vanguard Award has recognized student athletes each month with the Student Athlete of the Month Award. Winning students include:
- September: Katie Scott – Wharton High School
- October: Benjamin Wasserman – Freedom High School
- November: Jackson Hardee – Plant City High School
- December: Joshua Engram –Strawberry Crest High School
- January: Daniel Erickson – Jefferson High School
- February: Trinity Baptiste – Hillsborough High School
- March: Charles Heidt – Robinson High School
- April: Andrew Pudas – Bloomingdale High School
- May: Grace Weah – Chamberlain High School
Founded in 2011, the Swope, Rodante Vanguard Award program is proud to honor local students and coaches who work with integrity and dedication in an effort to have a positive impact on our community. For more information, please visit www.SwopeRodante.com.
About Keynote Speaker – Robert Weiner
Robert Weiner has exceeded expectations in his mission to help student athletes develop their academics and life skills. This year he will complete his 11th year as Plant High School’s Head Football Coach with a complied record of 123 wins, 23 losses, and 1 tie. Weiner frequently makes appearances at state-wide, national, and college clinics and convention where he shares ideas on his vaunted multiple spread offensive attack, program-building, defensive attitude, and special teams.
In addition to his efforts towards athletic development, Weiner strives to teach his athletes strong academic and life skills. After teaching English for more than 27 years, Weiner has instituted Plant High School’s original “TrainUp” comprehensive academic/life skills program. “Train Up” has been highlighted at the ACAF National Football convention and implemented into hundreds of high school and college athletic programs.
Coach Weiner has earned numerous accolades throughout his prestigious career. In 2005 and 2006, he has was recognized as the Billy Turner Coach of the Year by the Tampa Chapter of the National Football Foundation and also earned the Coca-Cola Golden Helmet Coach of the Year Award. Additionally, Coach Weiner has been named Tampa Tribune Football Coach of the Year five times in the past ten years. His leadership has inspired a generation of young people to utilize their talents and reach for their greatest hopes and dreams.
About Master of Ceremonies – Earl Garcia
Earl Garcia has been the Head Football Coach at Hillsborough High School for the past 23 years with a record of 199-53, making him the career leader in victories at Hillsborough High, the county’s oldest school. Coach Garcia’s overall record of 232-91 makes him the winningest active coach in Hillsborough County and places him second in Hillsborough County history. Hillsborough has advanced to post-season play in 21 of Coach Garcia’s 23 years at the school including the State 6A finals in 1996. He and his staff have produced over 200 scholarship student athletes and nine NFL players in the past twenty seasons.
He was named the “Coach of the Decade” during the 1990’s by the Tampa Tribune and has been credited by many for leading the resurgence of Hillsborough County high school football as a state power. Earl is the past president of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association and has been named to six high school all-star games including the 2005 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio where he coached Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin, Beanie Wells and C.J. Spiller among others. Included on that list is the inaugural Florida-Georgia Bowl in the Georgia Dome and the first Florida-California All-Star game in Pasadena’s Rose Bowl.
Event Details
When: Wednesday, May 27, 2015 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Where: The Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
How: For more information, visit www.SwopeRodante.com/community/student-athlete/.
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