Matt Kyler Honored with “Coach K” Award

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army track & field and cross country head coach Troy Engle and senior wrestler Matt Kyler have been honored with the Mike Krzyzewski Teaching Character Through Sport Award.

This marks the fifth time that the U.S. Military Academy has presented the award but just the second time NCAA athletes and coaches were eligible to win. The first three awards honored cadets who compete in company athletics. Last year, volleyball head coach Alma Kovaci and hockey player Zach McKelvie received the honor.

Engle and Kyler were presented with their awards during a special ceremony in the Mess Hall with Krzyzewski, a 1969 USMA graduate and now Duke head basketball coach, Director of Cadet Activities Col. Craig Flowers, Master of the Sword Col. Greg Daniels as well as Athletics Director Kevin Anderson.

The awards recognize West Point athletes and coaches for their outstanding commitment to the development of noble character through athletic participation and leadership. The cadet recipient exemplifies the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage both on-and-off the “fields of friendly strife.”  
 
The coach recipient is an exceptional leader who exemplifies the Army Values of integrity, respect, selfless service, duty, honor, loyalty, and personal courage.  This individual does much more than win games – he or she earns the respect and trust of athletes and makes a profound impact on their lives both as athletes and officers.

Dubbed the “Coach K” awards, Engle and Kyler were recognized for not only their playing and coaching accolades but for their commitment to excellence and respect for their teammates, opponents and sport.

A four-time national qualifier and four-time EIWA finalist, Kyler concluded his senior season this year with a 32-5 record that included 20 bonus point wins on 10 falls, nine major decisions and one technical fall. Army’s all-time leader in wins, Kyler wrapped up his remarkable career with a 146-33 mark that included an All-American sixth-place finish at the 2008 NCAA Championships at 141 pounds.

Engle, now in his second season at the helm of both the cross country and track & field teams, has served three stints at the Academy (1995-96, 1998) as instructor of physical education and assistant coach. In the fall, Engle guided the women’s cross country team to Patriot League runner up honors and a win over Navy, before helping the men’s indoor track & field team to its 14th League crown in February. He has been named men’s track & field Coach of the Year three times (two indoor, one outdoor), and will look to guide Army to its 18th men’s PL title in 19 years this weekend in Lewisburg, Pa.   

Mike Krzyzewski Teaching Character Through Sport Award Winners
2010
Intercollegiate: Coach Troy Engle (track & field, cross country) and Matt Kyler (wrestling)
Competitive Club: Coach Emilio Claudio (judo) and Jack Gibson (team handball)

Company Athletics: Coach John Shireman (combative grappling) and Judson Noel (athletic grappling)

2009
Intercollegiate: Coach Alma Kovaci (volleyball) and Zach McKelvie (hockey)
Competitive Club: Coach Ray Barone (boxing) and Courtney Miller (crew)
Company Athletics: Maj. Brad Fenske (cycling ) and Charles Harris (football)

2008
John Harmeling, team handball; Coach John McVan (company athletics basketball)

2007
Cory Kastl (boxing) and Joe Imbriaco (triathlon); Coach Marie Johnson (women’s lacrosse)

—  Army track & field and cross country head coach Troy Engle and senior wrestler Matt Kyler have been honored with the Mike Krzyzewski Teaching Character Through Sport Award.