Rocky Mountain Orthopaedic Associates based in Grand Junction has recognized the efforts of a football coach in selecting him as the latest winner of an annual award.

RMOA named Todd Casebier, football coach at Fruita Monument High School as Mesa County School District 51 Coach of the Year.

Casebier was presented with a plaque. Five other finalists for the award also were honored. In addition, RMOA donated $1,000 to the Fruita Monument High School athletic department.

The awards program recognizes coaches for demonstrating responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship and excellence on and off the field. Students nominate coaches for the award.

“We wanted a way to recognize the hard work and dedication that coaches put in to leading their team, even if they don’t have a winning season,” said Mike Zamora, outreach coordinator for RMOA. “This award is designed to do just that – reward the team with the coach who best exemplifies the RISE philosophy.”

Twenty-seven entries nominated a total of 19 coaches for the latest award. Out of the nineteen nominated coaches, a selection committee chose six finalists.

The other five finalists for the Coach of the Year Award were: Kerri Bensley, a poms coach at Fruita Monument High School; Adam Diaz, a softball coach at Grand Junction High School; Aaron Eggiman, a lacrosse coach at Fruita Monument High School; Ryan Hayden, a basketball coach at Central High School; and Kris Means, a track and field coach at Central High School.