Project Play WNY 2025 'Coaches Honor Roll' & Dick Gallagher Lifetime Service Award recipients

Annual awards celebrate & recognize dedicated youth sports coaches from across region

Project Play Press Release & Graphic

As it celebrated National Coaches Day on Monday, Project Play Western New York (WNY) announced the 25 coaches named to its annual “Coaches Honor Roll,” as well as the 2025 Dick Gallagher Lifetime Service Award recipient. Honorees include:

√ David Acevedo, River Rock Baseball League

√ Otis Barker Jr., Williamsville Jr. Football and OTB Elite

√ George Besch, Town of Lancaster Parks & Recreation

√ Paul Buchanan, WNY Bills

√ Ryan Chapman, Pioneer Youth Basketball and WNY Muckdogs

√ Katie Clark, KidsPlay WNY and Buffalo Bomb Squad

√ Ryan Cody, 716 Squash Inc.

√ Christopher Cole, Amherst Girls Softball League and Buffalo Bomb Squad

√ Matt Gambino, Northlake Surge Soccer Club

√ Malik Harden, Lockport Little Loop Football & Cheer

√ Meagan Jaques, Perry Youth Sports

√ Brittney Kiely, Empower’s Little All Stars

√ Patrick Maddigan, BSAC and Tonawanda Youth, Parks & Recreation

√ James Mallory, Buffalo Vets Little League Football

√ Jennifer Moore, Freedom Rec. Cheer

√ JayLa Newman, Buffalo All-Star Extreme

√ Paige Papa, Salamanca Warriors Travel Soccer

√ Johndannis Perez-Roman, River Rock Baseball League

√ John Rodgers, EMW Soccer and Baseball

√ Adam Smith, River Rock Baseball League

√ Michael Wall, Lewiston-Porter Youth Football & Cheer

√ Jason Warner, Alfred Almond Community Sports Association (AACSA)

√ Allison Warren, 716 Legacy Elite All Star Cheer & Tumble

√ Erin Wilson, Buffalo Youth Ski Nordic (BYSN)

√ Phil Wyant, Perry Youth Basketball & Soccer

Athletes, parents and members of youth sports organizations from across Western New York submitted more than 185 nominations for local coaches. The selected honorees will be recognized at Project Play WNY’s annual “Thank You Coach” event later this month, held in partnership with the Buffalo Bills.

As the backbone of youth sports, coaches serve as mentors, role models and inspirations for young athletes. Project Play WNY believes that should be celebrated and uplifted to both recognize dedicated coaches and encourage others to follow their lead and become involved in youth sports.

The “Coaches Honor Roll” recognizes non-scholastic youth sports coaches who work with athletes ages 13 and under. Each honoree demonstrates values that help ensure a supportive, nurturing environment for young people. These coaches also exemplify the values of Project Play WNY, which funds programs and convenes organizations to help build a community in which all children have access to sports.

Project Play WNY is also pleased to announce that Geno Allport, of Albion Youth Football and Cheerleading, will receive the Dick Gallagher Lifetime Service Award. The award recognizes an individual who has used their platform as a youth sports coach or youth sports organization leader to support, recognize and advocate for youth athletes both on and off the field, for a decade or more. The award honors the legacy of Dick Gallagher, a tireless youth sports advocate and Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame inductee, who also dedicated his professional life to helping young people struggling with addiction.

Allport, described as the “heart and soul” of Albion Youth Football, has been involved with the club for 25 years. In addition to his role as president of Albion Youth Football and Cheerleading, he also serves as an executive board member for both the Niagara Orleans Football Association and the Western New York Amateur Football Alliance. The three people who nominated Allport lauded his steadfast commitment to sportsmanship and fairness, and described how he fosters an environment where each child feels valued.

More information on each honoree can be found at www.projectplaywny.org/thank-you-coach.

More about Project Play WNY: Project Play Western New York is driven and funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s youth sports and recreation focus area in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program. Project Play Western New York envisions a community in which all children have the opportunity to be active through sports. Every child – regardless of location, income or ability – should have access to fun and fulfilling physical activities that build confidence and set them on a path for lifelong success. For more information, visit www.projectplaywny.org.

More about the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo: For more than a century, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York community. A 501 (c)(3) organization, the Community Foundation’s mission is: Connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Established in 1919, the Community Foundation has made the most of the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations who entrust charitable assets to the Community Foundation’s care. Learn more at cfgb.org.

More about the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation: The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation is a grantmaking organization dedicated primarily to sustained investment in the quality of life of the people of Southeast Michigan and Western New York. The two areas reflect Wilson’s devotion to his hometown of Detroit and greater Buffalo, home of his beloved Buffalo Bills NFL team. Prior to his passing in 2014, Wilson provided that a significant share of his estate be used to continue a lifelong generosity of spirit by funding the foundation that bears his name. Based in Detroit, the foundation began with a grantmaking capacity of $1.2 billion over a 20-year period, which expires Jan. 8, 2035. This structure is consistent with Wilson’s desire for the foundation’s impact to be immediate, substantial, measurable, and overseen by those who knew him best. For more information visit www.rcwjrf.org.