BY KAREN BOSSICK
A man with 25 years of coaching youth hockey in Colorado has been tasked with serving as the new executive director of Sun Valley Youth Hockey.
Scott Smith has been working as a high school Life Enrichment Coach, aka success coach, for TPH Academy, an academy-style program in Denver for elite student-athletes who study and train as hockey players or figure skaters.
He was hired following an extensive search process. Smith assisted student-athletes and their families with reaching their hockey and life goals at TPH Academy in what parallels SVYH’s mission of helping its youth reach athlete potential while developing such skills as goal setting, commitment, self-discipline, determination, teamwork and sportsmanship.
He has been in Colorado Hockey for more than 35 years, coaching at all levels and serving as hockey director for 13 years. He has held positions of leadership for the Vail Mountaineers, Foothills Youth Hockey and Arapahoe Youth Hockey associations.
“My passion has always been guiding young athletes,” said Smith. “As coaches and more importantly as mentors, we sometimes forget that our most important job is creating an educated, confident, outstanding citizen for our community. I truly pride myself on not only developing our youth, but most importantly mentoring outstanding members of our community.”
Sun Valley Youth Hockey’s growth over the past five years has necessitated full-time staff leadership. Last winter’s strategic planning process identified the hiring of an executive director as a high priority.
“Under Scott’s leadership, we are confident that our youth hockey program will continue to provide exceptional opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and teamwork,” said SVYH Board Chair Jeff Lamoureux. “His expertise and dedication will undoubtedly inspire our coaches, volunteers, and most importantly, our young athletes.”
SVYH will hold a gathering later this summer to give the community an opportunity to meet Smith and learn more about this organization which has been serving the Wood River Valley youth since 1994.