Providence's Sandy Martin, Forest Hills Eddie Rivers win state coaches of year

Providence High swim coach Sandy Martin and Forest Hills’ Eddie Rivers will receive the 8th Toby Webb N.C. High School Athletic Association coach of the year awards May 2.

The Webb award, named for the NCHSAA Hall of Fame member and former Albemarle football coach, goes to a nominated male and female coach who have 10 years experience and has made major contributions to the success of high school athletics in the school and community.

Martin worked at West Charlotte for three years and Providence for 18. She has also coached cheerleading and tennis. Her swim teams have won 15 state titles. She’s also been active with the American Red Cross for nearly 15 years, teaching hunderds to become lifeguards.

Rivers has been at Forest Hills for 29 years. He’s coached volleyball, basketball, football and softball. He helped establish the N.C. Softball Coaches Associaton and served as its president from 2004-10. Rivers was inducted into the N.C. softball hall of fame in 2010.