Dr. Anthony Pappas of Waterloo West has been named the 2015 National Coach of the Year for girls basketball by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coaches Association.

Pappas, a Mason City native, has coached basketball for 37 years, 34 of them at West. He owns a coaching record of 527-335 (through Jan. 9) and has guided the Wahawks to seven state tournament appearances with two runner-up finishes in 1999 and 2002. His 527 career victories rank 25th on Iowa's all-time wins list. He also serves as the school's activities director.

Source: Waterloo School District
Source: Waterloo School District
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In all, the NFHS selected 22 high school coaches from across the country as 2015 National Coaches of the Year.

The NFHS, which has been recognizing coaches through an awards program since 1982, honors coaches in the top 10 girls sports and top 10 boys sports (by participation numbers), and in one “other” sport that is not included in the top 10 listings. The NFHS also recognizes a spirit coach as a separate award category. Winners of NFHS awards must be active coaches during the year for which they receive their award.

This year’s awards recognize coaches for the 2014-15 school year.

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