SHS graduate named Assistant Coach of the Year

For her efforts as Powell High School's assistant volleyball coach, Saratoga High School graduate Charli Fluty was named the 2013 Assistant Coach of the Year for the Wyoming Coaches Association.

Fluty (nee Youngberg), a 2007 SHS graduate, will receive the Assistant Coach of the Year award at a Wyoming Coaches Association Clinic banquet and ceremony, scheduled to take place this summer in Casper. Since 2011, Fluty has been Powell High School's assistant volleyball coach and teacher for physical education and health.

Alongside Powell's head volleyball coach Cindi Smith, Fluty helped their Lady Panthers win the 2013 3A state title, after coming in as a fourth-seed team out of regionals. Fluty said Smith was the one who nominated her for Assistant Coach of the Year.

"Cindi's a veteran coach of over 20 years, and I've never seen a more dedicated, passionate coach," she said. "To be nominated by her was more rewarding than anything, and I feel very fortunate to have her as a mentor. After I was nominated, all the coaches in the coaches association then voted for their choice."

As a physical education teacher, Fluty said she enjoys teaching her students the importance of exercise and hopes they will continue healthy activity in their adult lives. Fluty was an active SHS athlete, playing volleyball and basketball for all four years.

"Being a P.E. teacher is a blast," she said. "I enjoy getting to know the kids and they like it if I play with them from time to time. My favorite part is watching them grow, change and experience success. I enjoy developing relationships with them, and I love what I'm doing with both teaching and coaching."

Before working at Powell High School, Fluty attended the University of Wyoming, graduating with a bachelor's degree in physical education and health endorsement. She said she was happy to study what she loved in college, instead of what would bring the most financial gain.

"My parents taught me it is more important to love what I do every day, rather than do something just for the money, so I thought about what I love to do," Fluty said. "I love to be in the gym or outside, and be involved with sports or activity every day of my life. I thought I would love teaching P.E. As soon as I went to college I knew I made the right choice."

Fluty also thanked her husband, Kyle Fluty, whom she had dated since high school and married last summer, for all his support throughout the years. Looking back on her high school years, Fluty also wanted to thank her SHS teachers and coaches for all their care and support.

"I had a couple of great coaches and teachers that I consider mentors during my time at SHS," she said. "They showed me how important it is to create relationships with your students and athletes. I use a lot of the lessons I learned from these mentors in developing my teaching and coaching philosophies today."

The following is what Smith wrote and submitted to nominate Fluty for the award:

"It is my privilege to nominate Charli Fluty as assistant coach of the year. Three years ago when she joined the program through a phone interview, I didn't know the impact she would have on Lady Panther Volleyball. Coach Fluty is a very dedicated, hardworking individual. She has gone above and beyond to learn and promote the philosophy and skill set of the program. This makes her very effective in growing our JV players into Varsity athletes. She eagerly volunteered to join our volleyball club staff and is willing to put in time in the summer to help athletes improve. Her communication skills with the staff and players is amazing. Her presence and words are always presented thoughtfully and with class. The girls have great rapport with her which makes their experience even more meaningful."