Six coaching giants inducted into state's hall of fame

April 28, 2024 by Jose Garcia, AZPreps365


Six coaching greats were inducted into the Arizona High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame Sunday at Arrowhead Country Club.

Mike Frosco, Scott Giddings, Amber Geer, Rick McConnell, Sarah Schlesinger, and Kent Winslow earned the state’s highest high school coaching honor during the 40th anniversary of the celebrated ceremony. Two special guests were also recognized in front of a packed ballroom, Desert Diamond Arena building superintendent Sean Langer and Snowflake Unified School District webmaster Brian Weir.

Langer was instrumental in helping the hall of fame get its plaques displayed at the arena’s main concourse. The permanent home for the plaques of more than 230 hall of famers is near Gate 7 of the arena.

Weir built the AHSACHOF’s web site, which was updated this year and lists every hall of famer. Both gentlemen received well-deserved engraved plaques for their contributions.

2024 Hall of Fame Class

Mike Frosco

Coach Mike FroscoDuring Frosco’s 40-year career as Bisbee’s head baseball coach, which began in 1974, his program won nine region titles, a state runner-up in 1992 and three state titles.

He was a three-time AIA 2A and Region Coach of the Year winner.

Scott Giddings

Coach Scott Giddings (left) with Arizona High School Athletic Coaches Half of Fame executive committee member Tim McBurney. Scott’s cross country career spans 50 years. He began as assistant at Washington High in 1970 and was named Greenway head coach in 1974.

His program won two state titles, three runner-ups and 19 region titles. He earned State Coach of the Year Honors in 1998 and 2005.

Amber Geer

Coach Amber GeerGeer established one of the state’s power volleyball programs during her 24 years at Sunnyslope High. The current volleyball coach of the school has won nine titles, two runner-ups and 15 region titles.

She has garnered Conference and Big School COTY multiple times.

Rick McConnell

Coach Rick McConnellDuring his 43 years as a basketball coach, McConnell won 60 percent of his games and eight region titles. He’s been Dobson’s head boy’s basketball coach since 1984. He was awarded Region Coach of the Year seven times by the East Valley Tribune and the AIA.

Sarah Schlesinger

Coach Sarah SchlesingerSchlesigner completed her 24th season as a badminton coach at Sunnyslope during this school year. Her teams have claimed four state titles, three runner-ups and 15 region titles.

Her winning percentage is 86.

Kent Winslow

Coach Kent WinslowWinslow coached baseball at six different school for 33 years. He boasts a winning percentage of 63 and won three championships, two runner-ups and 12 region titles. He’s also earned three State Coach of the Year, three conference COTY and four area COTY honors.