Oklahoma coach Sherri Coale wins a UN NGO Positive Peace Award

Oklahoma head coach Sherri Coale was selected as a recipient of a United Nations NGO Positive Peace Award for the sports coach category. The award honors and recognizes individuals around the world for their positive contributions.

“This is really a program award,” said Coale in a statement. “I accept it on behalf of our current staff and players and all of our former coaches and players who continue to give back and lead through service in their respective communities. I so appreciate the recognition for our program but, as our players past and present can attest, the rewards come from the doing. It is truly an honor to have such a platform from which to serve.”

She was nominated by Adam Barnett, college pastor of Journey Church in Norman. The coach was chosen from a pool that included Kansas men’s basketball head coach Bill Self, Kentucky’s John Calipari, IUPUI head coach Ron Hunter, South Dakota State’s Scott Nagy, Tennessee Tech’s Mike Sutton and Glenforest School’s William Knopf.

“Sherri Coale is uniquely gifted as a leader, teacher, and mentor,” said Oklahoma Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Programs and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione. “Her coaching accomplishments highlighted by significant numbers of victories and championships are overwhelming, but no more so than the profound impact she has had on the lives of those she has coached.”

Coale will receive the award during a pre-game ceremony Wednesday, January 12, when the Sooners host Kansas State at 7 p.m. CT at the Lloyd Noble Center. The game will be televised on the Sooner Sports Network.