Prospector Coach Bruce Binkley Receives Jesse Parker Coach Foundation Legacy Award

MESA, Ariz. - Dec. 13, 2022 - PRLog -- Apache Junction High School's Bruce Binkley was awarded the Jesse Parker Coach Foundation Legacy Award at a pep rally at the high school on Dec. 9. The head football coach was nominated for the honor by AJHS Principal Christopher Lineberry.

The award honors gifted and dedicated educators and coaches who inspire students to become outstanding members of society by: helping student athletes build lifelong skills and self-esteem through genuine achievement and perseverance and showing them how to accomplish more than they ever thought possible.

In a heart-felt nomination letter Dr. Lineberry praised Coach Binkley's challenges of taking over the team in 2020 during a pandemic and how he lead the team to the playoffs both seasons since he came aboard. However, Dr. Lineberry went on to describe the real reason Binkley should be honored.

"All of what has happened on the field has been really incredible, but that is not what separates Coach Binkley from other coaches," Dr. Lineberry wrote in his nomination letter. "What separates Coach Binkley from others is his character as a leader and a coach. The values he instills in the young people he works with every day are the values that I want my own children to subscribe to.

Binkley believes in paying good deeds forward, something he learned from his former coaches.

"Joe Pannunzio and Tony Santy were my Junior High Football Coaches and both had a life-long effect on my Life," said Binkley. "Joe is currently coaching the special teams with the Philadelphia Eagles and Tony is retired. I still talk to these guys at least once a week if not more. They have helped me get jobs been part of my wedding party helped me buy my first house. I could go on and on. So because of their influence on me I always wanted to make a difference in other peoples lives."

In addition to his coaches, Binkley reflected on the lessons he learned from his dad.

"I was taught by my father 'if it's just about you it has ZERO value.' I try to instill that in my players so they understand that life is not about them but about the impact they have on others."

Following the award presentation Apache Junction Unified School District Superintendent Heather Wallace joined Lineberry in her congratulations to Coach Binkley for the shining example he provides for AJUSD students, staff and the community.

Registration for all new students who wish to enroll in Apache Junction Unified School District schools are currently being accepted at all school locations. For more information about AJUSD or its schools or departments visit www.ajusd.org.