REACH Director Honored for Community Impact

US middle school teacher, coach and REACH Program director Terry Lipford '98 will receive the Cleveland Chapter of Positive Coaching Alliance’s 2017 Luminary Award, which will be presented by The Adcom Group at the Conversation with the Cavs “Inspire Future Champions” event on Jan. 25 at Quicken Loans Arena.

 

The Luminary Award is presented to a coach or administrator who has transformed a community, team or institution through inspirational leadership, unwavering commitment and impactful results. Mr. Lipford, a member of the faculty since 2007, is receiving the award in honor of his contributions to the community as a coach, leader and mentor.

 

“The Luminary Award winners epitomize remarkable selflessness, integrity and service to others,” said Marty Mordarski, Chapter Executive Director, PCA-Cleveland. “Terry Lipford has touched many lives through University School’s REACH Program.”

 

The REACH Program, founded in 1992, is a rigorous summer enrichment program for academically talented African-American middle school young men and college undergraduates. The program has motivated and inspired young men in the Greater Cleveland area to pursue academic excellence and become life-long learners. Approximately 110 students attend the tuition-free program each summer. Families make a commitment to be in the program for three years.

 

“Terry is an extraordinary leader of an extraordinary program,” said Greg Malkin, director of the Young Entrepreneur Institute and Leadership Center at University School. “Through the REACH Program, African-American middle school students learn to work at the top of their abilities, build their self-confidence, and develop their resilience to be successful. I’ve observed first-hand the way that Terry inspires these young men to be their best selves. His belief in the importance of the mission of REACH inspires his staff to work at the top of their abilities.”

 

In addition to directing the REACH Program, Mr. Lipford teaches middle school math and coaches middle school basketball and football. His eighth grade basketball team recently captured the Great Lakes Conference Championship.

 

The Inspire Future Champions event features Cleveland Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin, who will headline a panel discussion about the techniques the Cavs use for player development and the associated parallels with Positive Coaching Alliance’s mission, including performance benefits derived from positive coaching techniques, and the role coaching, teaching and mentorship play in promoting positive character traits for youth and adult athletes alike.