Union Knights football coach Joe Hadachek is among 50 nominees nationwide in the high school Most Valuable Coach program. Sponsored by U.S. Cellular, the program seeks to honor a coach who has had an impact on and off the playing field.

"These 50 coaches were nominated by you, and then selected by our judges, for going far and beyond the Xs and Os. They've not only made an impact on their players and their teams, but also on their communities. Now it's up to you to decide which among them will advance to the Final 15," the company announces on its contest page.

The Union families who nominated Hadacheksaid this about him: "Coach Joe Hadacheck built a legacy in this school by pushing his athletes and community to continually thrive as champions. Coach Hadachek is an all-around great person as well as a coach. He inspires, drives and encourages our community to come together and be the best! He goes above and beyond being a coach. He turns young athletes into honest, hardworking, caring young men." A former coach at Buena Vista College, Hadachek has led Union to the 2011 Class 3A State Championship; the Knights have made playoff appearances in all of Hadachek's seasons since his arrival at Union before the 2007 season. Hadachek is currently among the leaders, but to advance to the Final 15, more votes are needed.
Participants must sign up for a free account to vote, and can vote once per day for their favorite coach. See the web site HERE Each of the high schools by which the "Final 15 Coaches" � were employed as of the start date of the Contest Entry Period will receive a prize payment of $1,000. from Sponsor. From the final 15, twogrand prizes will be awarded to coaches and schoolsas follows: Each of the high schools by which the Grand Prize winning coaches were employed as of the start date of the Contest Entry Period will receive an additional donation of$5,000. Each winning coach will receive a trip for him/herself and one guest to Orlando, Florida, from approximately December 30, 2016 to January 2, 2017, during which the winning coaches will be honored, and will participate in activities, at the Under Armour All-America Game. Each coach will also be included in an in-game video feature in the ESPN broadcast.