Pasco Schools, Lightning Honor Coaches with 'Beyond the Game'

Pasco County Schools has partnered with the Tampa Bay Lightning to launch a new program called 'Beyond the Game,' aimed at recognizing coaches who significantly impact their students' lives both on and off the field. This initiative extends its reach, appreciating the dedication seen in schools throughout the county, from the established communities to the growing areas like Wimauma.

The initiative, which began this school year, celebrates coaches across all sports. Four school board meetings will feature honored coaches throughout the year, with the first recognition event scheduled for Tuesday's school board meeting. Over 300 nominations were received, and three coaches are set to receive accolades at the upcoming meeting.

Toni Zetzsche, Chief Impact Officer for the district, highlighted the program's focus on holistic student development. "These are coaches who are not just worried about what’s happening on the field, but they’re worried about what’s happening off the field too, right? They’re encouraging students to perform at a really high level academically. They’re asking them to, you know, model good citizenship, behave on campus, but when they don’t, they’re there to pick them up," Zetzsche stated.

The 'Beyond the Game' program emphasizes a coach's influence on academic success and good citizenship, rather than solely athletic performance. A total of twelve coaches will be honored across the four scheduled meetings. Recipients will receive a hockey stick, and some may have the opportunity to appear at a Tampa Bay Lightning home game, a special recognition for their work within the community.

This collaboration builds upon existing efforts between Pasco County Schools and the Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation, which already brings street hockey programs to schools, allowing students to earn physical education credits. Zetzsche added, “An organization like the Tampa Bay Lightning pours into our students and our schools. It really speaks volumes, and I think it, it reminds families how important Pasco County Schools is in the community, and it reminds our kids how important they are to big organizations like the Tampa Bay Lightning.”