Longtime Powell coach Dale Estes has been selected to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the Wyoming Coaches Association.

Estes was named to the award as the WCA announced its 2023 Hall of Fame class last week.

According to the WCA website, the award “is designed to honor an individual(s) for their contribution and support to the Wyoming Coaches’ Association.”

Estes has been involved in coaching for 39 years, coaching high school tennis, seventh-grade boys’ basketball, middle school track and is currently the coach of the eighth-grade girls’ basketball team at Powell Middle School.

“It is a great honor to receive this award,” Estes said. “I have been very blessed to teach and coach in the Powell School District. I have also been blessed by many great athletes and have been assisted by many wonderful and knowledgeable assistants as well. You don’t receive an award like this without a great supporting cast.”

He said that he was surprised to receive the award, but continues to use coaching as a way to help form stronger bonds with students in the classroom.

“You typically form stronger bonds and make greater impacts on the students that you coach,” Estes said. “Sports allow students to learn some very important lessons about perseverance, overcoming adversity and defeating their most difficult opponent — themselves.”

He said he continues to learn new things each year that he coaches, keeping it fun and challenging with each new team.

Estes thanked the WCA for continuing to recognize coaches for all their hard work.

“I really appreciate what the WCA does for the coaches, giving them recognition for their many hours, years and decades of dedication they give to allow students to participate in athletics,” Estes said.

He was one of two recipients of the Distinguished Service Award this year alongside Mike Thompson of Cody.