(Kami McKane and Bill McKane spoke highly of what late Florence football coach Steve McKane meant to the football program and their lives. Photo by Mark Jones/maxpreps.com)

The late Steve McKane’s legacy of giving back to his Florence High community took center stage along with some of Arizona’s brightest high school athletes during the annual Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Champions Award Luncheon.

On Monday, the AIA gave the floor to some of McKane’s loved ones, including his wife Kami, who tearfully expressed how much McKane meant to her, her family and Florence High. McKane was 38 when he died in 2013 during the high school football season from a heart attack.

McKane and Kami had three kids of their own. 

The AIA and the Arizona Cardinals, which hosted the luncheon at University of Phoenix Stadium, stepped in to help honor McKane, donating lights for the practice field in Florence that will bear McKane’s name.

Kami expressed her gratitude for what the AIA and the Cardinals did as she spoke fondly about her husband. Steve was a mentor who inspired his athletes to become something more than they wanted, Kami said.

“He was a remarkable man,” Kami said. “I wish all of you could have met him.”

Bill McKane, Steve’s dad, and Florence District assistant superintendent Chris Knutsen attended the 13^th annual luncheon to also celebrate Steve and talk about the practice field that the Army National Guard is helping set up.

Another big moment during bittersweet year for Corona del Sol

Corona del Sol has experienced the highest of highs with its boys basketball program’s championship season and lowest of lows with the loss of a couple of beloved student athletes this school year.

But losing a student to cancer and another to suicide united the Tempe school during this school year. That bond and hard work was rewarded Monday as it won the most prestigious award the AIA hands out during its awards luncheon, the Directors’ Cup.   

The cup is given to a small and big school that demonstrate academic success, community work, high AIA activity participation rates, and the implementation of the AIA’s Victory with Honor Program.

“It’s been a very trying year,” Corona del Sol athletic director Dan Nero said. “But this last week and a half we found out what family really, really truly is all about. Because it’s a Corona family that has come together in some really tough times and some great time as well.

The small Class 1-3A school that won the Directors’ Cup was Estrella Foothills out of Goodyear.

Awards

Champions Award

The Barrett Foundation

Leadership in Athletics for girls/women

Kandice Kelley-Williamson, Horizon High

Tony Komadina Award

Arizona Lutheran Academy

Skip Bryant Media Award

Mike Russo, West Valley View

1A-3A Scholar Activity Award

Boys: Nathan Blake, Desert Christian. Finalist: Justin Plumb, Gilbert Classical.

Girls: Courtenay Gleason, Desert Christian. Finalist: Hope Jehng, River Valley.

4A/5A Scholar Activity Award

Boys: Adam McClintock, Flowing Wells. Finalist: Jun Hyuk Lee, Cibola.

Girls: Kaitlin Coltin, Xavier. Finalists: Cynthia Tran, Mesquite; Jessica Stelmach, Sabino.

1A-3A Scholar Athlete Award

Boys: Zach Malis, Desert Christian. Finalist: Gavin deFisser, Valley Christian.

Girls: Alyssa Braun, Valley Christian. Finalist: Calli Townsend, Academy of Tucson.

4A/5A Scholar Athlete Award

Boys: Matthew Anderson, Arcadia. Finalists: Collin Anderson, Coconino; Nicholas Juhasz, Sabino.

Girls: Jenna Tunnell, Desert Vista. Finalists: Jacqueline Kientzler, Valley Vista; Kelly Naumann, Corona del Sol.

Student of the Year Award

Boys: Ryder Abellera, Lake Havaus.

Girls: Hope Jehng, River Valley.

Coach of the Year Award

1A-3A: Jim Clark, Chino Valley

4A-5A: Tyler Dumas, Dobson

National Federation of State High School Associations

Speech and Debate Award

Cassie Alber, Mesquite High

NFHS Heart of the Arts Award

Kevin Berlat, Central High

NFHS Spirit of Sport Award

Jonathan Silva Stern, Desert Mountain

NFHS State Award for Outstanding Service

Jeanie Kosower, AIA

AIA Unified Sports Award

Partner: Brock Walkenback, Valley Vista.

Athlete: Alan Barberi Torres, Estrella Foothills.

Administrator of the Year Award

Jonathan Rickey, Glendale Prep Academy