Sylvan Lake Atom Tigers Coach Nathan Geib speaks to his players. (Megan Roth)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

well-earned win

Sylvan Lake coach wins annual award from Football Alberta

Mar 2, 2023 | 10:40 AM

Football Alberta has announced its annual award winners, and one is from Sylvan Lake.

That would be Nathan Geib, co-winner in the atom/peewee coach of the year category. Geib is coach of the Sylvan Lake Atom Tigers.

According to Football Alberta, Geib is in his fourth year with the Tigers, and has garnered a reputation as one of the best youth coaches and mentors in central Alberta.

“Known for treating all of his players equally — regardless of their talent or ability to contribute on-field — he has also formulated off-season get togethers for his teams which help build culture in the football community as a whole in Sylvan Lake,” the organization says in a release.

“The capper to all of his involvement has been that in the four years he has headed up the Tigers, they are undefeated in all of their competitive opportunities.”

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Speaking to rdnewsNOW, Geib says football meant the world to him as a youth, thus it’s a wonderful feeling to pass along his love and knowledge for it.

“I don’t know that there is really any secret to it. I think success starts and ends with the people who you surround yourself with, and I have been very blessed to have some very passionate and knowledgeable coaches backing me up and strengthening my weaknesses,” he says.

“I always tell the team that if you put in the hard work, success will follow. My coaching team worked their butts off for the kids this year, and although my name is the one being mentioned, I truly believe that they deserve this award as much as I do. So a huge thank you to Ed Grzech, Dave Symons, Matt Merkley, Chris McKenna and Heather Kowalchuk.”

Geib got involved with coaching shortly after moving to Sylvan, says the native of Moose Jaw, SK.

“They were looking for new volunteers so I jumped at the opportunity,” he says. “I figured it was a great way to be a part of the community and get to know people, as well as pass on my love of the game to the next generation.”

Geib shares the award with Lance Kelly, coach of the Okotoks Atom Eagles.