St. John XXIII College Preparatory Coach Named TAPPS 4A Male Coach of the Year
Katy, TX (June 15, 2016) St. John XXIII Swim Coach Dana Abbott was recently chosen as the TAPPS 4A Male Coach of the Year for 2015-2016 and received the organization’s Edd Burleson Leadership Award.
In the ten years Abbott has been at St. John XXIII College Preparatory, the girls’ team has placed in the top 3 at State nine out of the last ten years, and the boys’ team has been in the top 6 at State seven out of the last ten years. Most recently, the Sea Lions captured both boys’ and girls’ championships at Regionals, and the girls won their third State Championship in the last five seasons while the boys had their highest State finish ever as Runners-Up.
“This award is really a testament to the kids and a team effort,” says Coach Abbott. “I am blessed with tremendously hard working athletes.” In his typical self-effacing manner, Abbott remarked, “It’s nice to be recognized for all their hard work.”
Abbott’s coaching history in the Katy area is legendary. Prior to his tenure at St. John XXIII, Abbott was head swim coach at Katy High School (1980-2005), where his teams garnered multiple honors. Coach Abbott’s accolades during that time include being named the UIL Regional Swimming Coach of the Year three times and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Interscholastic Swimming Association (TISCA). In 2008, he received the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s Paragon Award form Competitive Swimming. He has given swim clinics and been a speaker at various state, national, and international sports symposiums.
In addition to coaching at St. John XXIII, Coach Abbott currently coaches the Katy Tiger Swim Club summer team, a developmental group of 10- to 14-year-olds, and coaches swimming to a USA Triathlon group. He lives in Katy surrounded by his beloved rescued pets.
Courtesy of St. John XXIII College Preparatory School
