KENNESAW - With this being the 20th annual Bobbie Bailey Awards ceremony at the Kennesaw State University's M. Bobbie Bailey and Family Performance Hall, the organizers took a slightly different approach.

Along with the 37 females athletes chosen by their respective schools in Cobb, Cherokee, Paulding, Bartow and Douglas Counties to be award recipients, they decided to honor a few coaches as well.

Among the 22 total coaches honored, 12 of them came from Cobb County.

Former McEachern volleyball coach Patty Craven, who recently retired after more than 30 years at the helm, was among them. Also chosen was Hillgrove girls basketball coach Sheryl Fowler, who also coached basketball at McEachern and Campbell, and current McEachern coach Phyllis Arthur and former Osborne coach Lisa Williams.

Other well-known area coaches recognized were North Cobb softball coach JoBeth Weaver, former Kell and Walton volleyball coach Gena Ridings, former Lassiter volleyball coach Dottie Saye, Kennesaw Mountain volleyball coach Tonya Kern-Honea and Kennesaw Mountain softball coach Lisa Chapman.

"I was very honored when (KSU softball ) coach (Scott) Whitlock sent me the email and put me a part of this group," said Chapman, who was a former KSU player under Whitlock. "I've been attending ceremonies because I had several players over the years receive these awards, and it's great to be a part of it and to sit with very successful coaches who are also a part of this group."

Williams, who led the Lady Cardinals to two postseason appearances during her three years as coach, before stepping down to become assistant principal, was also grateful to be chosen.

"It feels wonderful to be honored, especially when they are so many that could have been chosen," Williams said. "For me to be a new coach to the area, I only coached four years, I'm very honored to be selected."

Former Bobbie Bailey recipients also made an appearance to commemorate the 20th anniversary.

World champion adventure racer Robin Benincasa was this year's guest speaker. Now working as a firefighter in San Diego, Calif., Benincasa competed in gymnastics, diving and cross country.

With the regular season winding down for girls basketball and region tournaments rapidly approaching, Benincasa emphasized teamwork during her speech and how much team players can accomplish when working together.

"It was really inspiring," Campbell forward Monica McClure said. "She really touched on some key points that we talk about now with our team and how we need to be closer as a team and stuff and have each other's back. It was really great to hear the same things that we talk about every day."

The award was named after Dr. M. Bobbie Bailey, who is a longtime fan of KSU women's athletics. She helped organize the Bobbie Bailey Athletic Complex, which house both KSU baseball and softball teams.