Keith Croft Named Coach of the Year

Bishop Hendricken head football coach Keith Croft was named Coach of the Year at the fifth annual Cox RI Sports Awards on June 15 at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

Croft, who teaches physical education and health at and Horton Elementary Schools, led the Hawks to their first perfect season (13-0) in 15 years en route to the Division 1 Super Bowl.

"I feel honored to receive this award based on the quantity and quality of coaches from around the state," said Croft. "I would like to thank my coaches, parents, players and family who have supported me so much over the past few seasons."

During the season, Croft’s four-month-old son, Caden, was diagnosed with hydrocephaulus, which is a buildup of fluid inside the skull, which causes brain swelling. The condition required brain surgery.

Through this unexpected malady, Croft continued to teach and coach football.

"It was very difficult to focus on teaching and coaching with the health issues that my son was going through, but the support that I received from so many people made it much easier,” said Croft. "The Hendricken community and the Cranston school department were so supportive that it made coaching and my job a necessary escape at times."

Caden recovered well from the surgery and his prognosis is positive.

"My wife Kerri and I feel that God has helped us get through some tough times and will continue to do so," stated Croft.

Croft has taught in Cranston since 2001 and has coached football at Hendricken for 15 years, the last four as the varsity head coach. Croft’s record as a varsity, junior varsity and freshmen coach is 82-16, including eight playoff berths and seven championship game appearances.

While teaching in Cranston’s elementary schools and coaching at a private high school may seem like completely different challenges, there is some commonality between the two jobs.

"At the end of the day, whether I am teaching health or physical education in Cranston or coaching football at Hendricken, the goals are the same,” explained Croft. “I’m trying to help children grow and develop into better athletes and people."

The other four nominees for Coach of the Year included, East Greenwich field hockey coach Deb McMullen, Mount Pleasant football coach Paul Rao, Tiverton boys’ basketball coach Gerry Arcouette and South Kingstown tennis coach Andy Carr.

Past recipients of the Coach of the Year award were South Kingstown tennis coach Andy Carr, Exeter/West Greenwich football coach Mark Messier, Hendricken boys’ basketball coach Jamal Gomes and Central Falls girls’ basketball coach Joe Handy.