Former PHS coach, Athletic director spent 26 years in communityFormer Powell resident and current Wyoming High School Activities Association chairman Ron Laird was named the recipient of a Distinguished Service Award from the Wyoming Coaches Association. Laird was one of several award winners announced by the WCA earlier this week.“I think it's a great honor,” Laird said of the award. “I'm humbled to be recognized in this fashion.”Laird spent 26 years in the Powell school system. He coached boys basketball for 20 years at Powell High School. He also served for 12 years as the school's assistant principal and activities director. “I'm just surprised, because I've looked at it like I'm just doing my job,” said Laird. “I've always tried to serve the kids as best I could. It's a nice honor, but I'm sure there are others out there that are just as worthy. In many ways, this is just a testimony to the kids and people I've had the honor to work with.”Also receiving recognition for their service to high school athletics are former Evanston wrestling coach Chuck Nixon, who directed the Red Devils' program for 41 years, longtime wrestling official Mike Saxton of Sheridan and former Worland wrestling coach Tom Lambert, who also assisted with football and track for a number of years. Tom Urbach, father of Powell High School wrestling coach Nate Urbach, was one of two individuals named to the 2009 Hall of Fame induction class. The elder Urbach is the winningest wrestling coach in Greybull history. In his 18-year career Urbach and the Buffs won nine state titles in an 11-year span that started in 1984. Bart Trautwein, head girls coach at Southeast High School, will also be inducted into the WCA Hall of Fame. Trautwein's coaching career, which dates to 1973, has seen him coach at Big Piney, Wheatland, Southeast and Lingle. All those recognized will be honored at the Wyoming Coaches Association's Super Saturday banquet. The event will be held July 24 in Casper.

Former PHS coach, Athletic director spent 26 years in community

Former Powell resident and current Wyoming High School Activities Association chairman Ron Laird was named the recipient of a Distinguished Service Award from the Wyoming Coaches Association. Laird was one of several award winners announced by the WCA earlier this week.

“I think it's a great honor,” Laird said of the award. “I'm humbled to be recognized in this fashion.”

Laird spent 26 years in the Powell school system. He coached boys basketball for 20 years at Powell High School. He also served for 12 years as the school's assistant principal and activities director.

“I'm just surprised, because I've looked at it like I'm just doing my job,” said Laird. “I've always tried to serve the kids as best I could. It's a nice honor, but I'm sure there are others out there that are just as worthy. In many ways, this is just a testimony to the kids and people I've had the honor to work with.”

Also receiving recognition for their service to high school athletics are former Evanston wrestling coach Chuck Nixon, who directed the Red Devils' program for 41 years, longtime wrestling official Mike Saxton of Sheridan and former Worland wrestling coach Tom Lambert, who also assisted with football and track for a number of years.

Tom Urbach, father of Powell High School wrestling coach Nate Urbach, was one of two individuals named to the 2009 Hall of Fame induction class. The elder Urbach is the winningest wrestling coach in Greybull history. In his 18-year career Urbach and the Buffs won nine state titles in an 11-year span that started in 1984.

Bart Trautwein, head girls coach at Southeast High School, will also be inducted into the WCA Hall of Fame. Trautwein's coaching career, which dates to 1973, has seen him coach at Big Piney, Wheatland, Southeast and Lingle.

All those recognized will be honored at the Wyoming Coaches Association's Super Saturday banquet. The event will be held July 24 in Casper.