Ardmore’s athletic programs enjoyed one of their best years in school history in 2013-14. The football team made the playoffs for the first time in seven years, the baseball team reached its first-ever state championship series and Lee Hodges won the school’s first golf championship.

The person pulling the strings behind all this athletic success was recently honored for all of this and more from the Alabama High School athletic association.

Rusty Bates, Ardmore’s full-time athletic director, was selected by the AHSAA as the 2014 winner of the Making a Difference Award in Class 4A.

The award goes to six individuals across the state who have made an impact as exemplary role models.

Bates has served as Ardmore’s athletic director for the last five years, helping to mold young coaches concerning the areas of sportsmanship, character and integrity.

Bates began his coaching career in 1993 at Calhoun Community College as an assistant softball coach under Myra King.  Over the next three seasons the duo would see Calhoun win three state and region championships.

In 1996 Bates returned to his alma mater, West Limestone High School, to coach football, basketball, and softball.  At West Limestone he took over a fast-pitch softball program in its infancy and went 98-36 the next four seasons.  He was voted The Athens-Limestone Metro Coach of the Year three times.

Four years later, Bates went to Hazel Green High School where he led the softball team from slow-pitch to fast-pitch. Success came quickly with back-to-back county championships in 2003 and 2004 and a trip to the state tournament in 2003. He stepped down as a softball coach with a 321-173 overall softball coaching record.

Bates and his wife, Kristin, have one child, Lauren, who was born premature. The struggle their daughter battled through has given both parents a passion to help organizations such as the Melissa George Foundation, an organization that helped them and is aimed at helping premature infants survive by equipping hospitals with the latest technology.

“Coach Bates and his wife have really gotten our school behind this project each year,” said Principal Tommy Hunter. “They have shown our students that every child matters and that each of us can make a difference.”

Hunter called Bates a sounding board for him and a dear friend for life.

“He has a passion and has really made a difference in the lives of all of us here at Ardmore High School. We are thankful we have held onto him for so long.”

Bates joins Jerome Sanders, J.F. Shields (1A); Amy Warrick, Goshen (2A); Steve Smith, Piedmont (3A); Ron Smith, Brewer (5A); and Robby Parker (6A) as the six award winners.

The six will be recognized at the Championship Coaches Banquet at the Renaissance Montgomery Convention Center July 25. The 6 p.m. event will close out the 2014 Summer Conference and All-Star Sports Week for member schools.

The Making A Difference Award was established in 2011 by the AHSAA and AHSADCA to recognize individuals who go beyond their normal duties as a coach, teacher or administrator to make a positive impact in their schools and communities. This year’s recipients include one principal, one full-time athletic director, a head football coach, head boys’ basketball coach, head volleyball coach and head softball coach.

“The recipients in this fourth Making A Difference class are tremendous role models for their students, faculty and community. They are indeed excellent examples of what this award stands for. Each has made a major difference in their communities and schools,” said AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese.  “This award is the most important honor a professional educator in our state can receive.

“Characteristics considered for this prestigious award include the recipient’s character, integrity and service, all of which have enabled these individuals to have a life-changing impact on the community or school.”

Savarese said this special award exemplifies what makes education-based sports so important.

“We are very proud of all our coaches, teachers and administrators,” he said. “This is one way we can honor them for the examples they set and the life lessons they teach on a daily basis.”