Ryan Schartz, who was named the top football coach in the state at Tuesday’s Simone Awards, was named the top football coach on the Missouri side of the metro area by the Kansas City Chiefs Ambassadors Friday afternoon in a surprise assembly at Fort Osage High School.
Schartz, who led the Indians to a perfect 10-0 regular season, saw his team finish with an all-time Fort Osage best record of 13-1 as they dropped the Class 5 state championship game to Webster Groves at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.
“That state loss still stings,” Schartz said, “but an honor like this, and the Simone Award, is rewarding because it gives me the chance to thank my assistant coaches, players, administrators, students and our fans.
“I can’t say enough good things about our fans. Whether I’m in Independence, or Sibley or Buckner they want to talk Fort Osage football. I got an e-mail the other day from a friend and he told me he saw a young mom and dad with their 3-year-old and 7-year-old and the kids had on Fort Osage T-shirts.
“The shirts had ‘Refuse to Lose’ one on side and our undefeated (regular) season on the other. Do you realize what we’re building here? Those kids are going to want to play football here at Fort Osage some day, and that’s what we want. We want people – young and old – to be excited about Fort Osage football.”
Schartz received several ovations during the assembly that featured former Kansas City wide receiver Danan Hughes as the Chiefs ambassador.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bobby Bell was scheduled to appear at the assembly, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but school was canceled that day due to the cold and icy conditions and Bell had a prior engagement Friday.
“I don’t want to show my age,” Hughes said, “but 20-plus years ago, when I was a senior, my team lost the state championship game and it still sits with me. I hope you seniors can enjoy all the success you had and you sophomores and juniors realize you have some unfinished business in 2010.”
That remark drew a huge round of applause.
Joining Schartz on his special day were his parents, Chris and Cindy, his wife, Darci, his young son, Luke, and his mother-in-law, Donna Moyer.
Darci is expecting the couple’s second child on Dec. 25.
“Won’t that be a great Christmas gift?” Ryan Schartz said, grinning from ear to ear.
Students filled the gym to capacity and his team sat in folding chairs on the basketball court.
“You know what makes Coach Schartz special?” asked all-state defensive back/tailback E.J. Gaines. “He wants to make us men first, and wants us to be good representatives in our community. He wants us to be great players, but he wants to make us men – and that’s important.”
Added Indians quarterback Edward Pearl: “He’s the greatest coach I have ever been around. He’s so special. I hope he knows how special he is to all of us.”
The Chiefs presented the Fort Osage athletic program with a check for $1,000 to conclude the ceremony.
Independence, MO —
