Wilson selected as Vince Zavala coach of the year

No one I’ve ever bumped into has had one bad thing to say about Gordon Wilson. It’s the Gordon Wilson’s of the world who give the less utilized phrase, “nice guys finish first” any sort of validation.
Coach Wilson is officially hanging up the stopwatch and global maps next month. Whether he wants them to or not, the accolades are beginning to roll in.
Wilson was named as the Vince Zavala Coach of the Year during intermission of the Central Nebraska Track Championships Monday night, an honor bestowed on multiple area coaches over time. 
Since 2004, Wilson has assisted in the Aurora track program in some capacity and took over for the great Ron Haden before the 2015 season.
During that time, Wilson coached the Lady Huskies to a state championship in 2017 as well as multiple individual championships during that stretch.
He’s been coaching for much longer than that, though. Its been more than four decades, all part of a family tradition. For him, it’s all about the kids. Always has been and forever will be -- on the track or in the classroom. 
“A lot of it is relationships with the kids and coaches,” Wilson said. “As you look back on those things, that’s what I enjoy. From that standpoint, this award is pretty humbling.”
The legendary coaching talent was oozing Monday night as coach Wilson and coach Zavala shared a brief moment near GINW’s 50-yard line, laughing it up and undoubtedly sharing an inside story. 
For Wilson, receiving the award named after a good friend and from the man himself was more than enough. 
“Getting an award like that from someone like Vince Zavala is probably the coolest thing of the whole deal,” Wilson said. “I admire coach Zavala a lot and he’s just a great individual. He’s someone who’s done great things for track and field in the area. That means as much to me as anything else.”
Again, coming from a guy who has only observed from the sideline, coach Wilson certainly isn’t one to come off as over the top. 
I can say I’ve never heard him even raise his voice. I wasn’t in that 6th grade social studies class to really find out, however. Someone else will have to let me know.
The point being, he’s not a coach who needs to raise his voice. He commands the entire team with encouragement, thoughtful listening, a certain empathy and a strategic silence.
There’s certainly more than one way to lead a group of kids to glory, and Wilson did that his way.
Coach Wilson connects with kids and athletes on a deeper level, a certain trust that is difficult to build, but lasts forever. He gets the most out of his kids by fostering trust and in a lot of ways, listening instead of speaking. 
His humbleness is something that is recognizable right away, even in just a 90-second conversation about this award. 
It’s never about the recognition for himself. No, the Huskies come first. Always have and always will. 
While the award did come off as a surprise to Wilson in the moment, it was something he had considered beforehand thanks to prior outcomes.
During Haden’s final season as coach, the former Husky great was also awarded the same honors. 
While Wilson didn’t want himself to expect that in any capacity, he noted it’s special to be put in that same category with so many great area coaches.
“When it came down to it on my way over here today, it wasn’t about me -- it’s about these kids,” Wilson said, motioning around to all the standout athletes from central Nebraska. “These kids are just enjoyable to be around. We have great kids at Aurora and they mean more to me than any award does. But, I am appreciative of it and receiving it from coach Zavala means a lot.”
Wilson’s coaching strength lies in his ability to create a space where the athletes feel heard, understood, and empowered to take ownership of their own growth and development. 
Winning a state championship is the goal, surely. But it’s about so much more than that. Coach Wilson has spread that message to thousands of Husky students and athletes who cherish that bond.
We tip our backwards cap to coach Wilson! Or, in his case, the bucket hat. 
RICHARD RHODEN can be reached at sports@hamilton.net.