Dexter coach Chad Allen named Semoball Coach of the Year

Dexter varsity girls basketball coach Chad Allen received his monetary award this week, after having been selected as the 2014 semoball.com Coach of the Year at the organization's annual banquet held at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.

A panel of sports writers representing southeast Missouri's five daily newspapers and broadcasters from Southeast Missouri's ESPN Sports Radio Network voted on the award.

"There are many great coaches in the southeast Missouri area and I am humbled to have received this award," Allen said in a press release. "I would like to thank Semoball, Southeast Missourian, Southeast Hospital and all the other fine sponsors for putting on a first-class event."

Dexter finished 27-4 in the 2013-14 season and placed second at the Class 4 state tournament under Allen.

Allen has a career record of 168-45 at Dexter as of Jan. 9, 2015.

Dexter has won its district tournament each of the last six seasons under Allen.

Dexter finished fourth in Class 4 in the 2008-2009 season and the 2012-2013 season.

"God has blessed me so much," Allen said. "I have so much to be thankful for, especially my wife and our three children. It has been a huge sacrifice for my family for all the time and effort I have put in outside of our home. I am very thankful for their love and support throughout the years. It's what drives me every day.

"Gavin Miller was an excellent coach for me to follow as he had the girls program heading in the right directon," Allen continued. "It made for a smooth transition for me and what I wanted to accomplish. We had a good group my first year which always helps, but I was a little burned out. I had to coach each team from grades 7-12 without much help. When I pursed and obtained Eric Sitze, it gave me a chance to delegate some of my responsibilities. Behind every good coach, you will find a great assistant and great players. I have been blessed to have both. In seven years, we have had eleven players go on to play at the next level. Currently, Hannah Noe is at Southeast Missouri State University, Alison Jarrell and Paige Patterson play at Evangel University, Erika Cobb is at Three Rivers and Katelynn Frazier is playing for Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, Mo.

"It's not easy being a coach, especially in today's culture," Allen added. "The Dexter school and community has been very supportive of me and our program. Without their support, our program would not have reached the level we are currently at today."

More than 200 athletes were recognized at the event. In addition to announcing a player of the year in each of the 19 sports, top awards for male and female athlete of the year, comeback athlete of the year, the athlete with the best sportsmanship and the scholar-athlete of the year were presented.

The second annual Semoball Awards event is slated to take place on July 11 at the River Campus in Cape Girardeau.