For the seventh year in a row, the Detroit Area Honda dealers presented the Honda Inspiration Award to an outstanding coach, teacher, or adult who has had a significant impact on the lives of student-athletes. This year, the recipient was Paul Ellis, the swimming and diving coach at Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood High School.
Ellis’s coaching philosophy is summarized by his promise to his athletes: “I might not know as much as your club coaches, but I can promise you one thing – I will make you swim faster.” Andrew Delzer, the student-athlete who nominated Ellis for the Inspiration Award, reflects on the impact of Ellis’s words, humility, work ethic, and team spirit. Delzer attributes Ellis’s commitment to the swimmers and program as the driving force behind their successful season – the best in school history.
The Detroit High School Sports Awards ceremony took place at The Fillmore on Tuesday night and was supported by Detroit Area Honda Dealers. The event celebrated over 300 student-athletes from the Detroit Metro area and surrounding counties. The ceremony produced in partnership with U.S Army recognized Ellis’s dedication to his athletes and his ability to unite a diverse group of swimmers as a prime example of how coaches and mentors can positively impact young athletes. Delzer expressed gratitude for their coach’s influence and shared excitement for their ongoing friendship and support in his nomination letter.
The Honda Inspiration Award was established to acknowledge coaches, teachers, and adults who have had a significant impact on student-athletes’ lives. Students submitted nominations to shine a light on individuals who consistently motivated them to strive for excellence on and off the field of play.
Ellis’s coaching philosophy is centered around pushing his swimmers to be faster than they ever thought possible. He believes that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. His commitment to his team members goes beyond just teaching them how to swim; he invests time in getting to know them as individuals and provides support when they need it most.
Delzer reflects on how much he learned from Ellis during their time together as teammates. He credits Ellis with inspiring him both on and off the pool deck with his positive attitude, work ethic, humility, and passion for swimming.
The Detroit High School Sports Awards ceremony showcased some of Michigan’s top high school athletes from across various sports disciplines. It was an opportunity for these young athletes to be recognized for their hard work
