On October 4, Linganore High School (LHS) Varsity Cheer coach Amy Rumburg was awarded the 2023-2024 Maryland Coach of the Year for Spirit and Dance Programs.
Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) congratulates the 21 high school coaches from across Maryland who have been selected as 2023-24 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) coaches of the year. Winners of NFHS awards must be active coaches during the year for which they receive their award; this is an association decision.
Rumburg has been coaching LHS cheer since 2016. She started out as the JV head coach, and within a year, she took over the cheer program and became the head coach of the varsity team. Rumburg has coached the LHS varsity cheer team ever since.
Rumburg has countless favorite memories from her time coaching the team, but seeing the girls’ dedication is what motivates her most.
“There are so many things, [that are my favorite memories] but mostly watching them grow, not only as student athletes but also young adults, and seeing them achieve their goals after all their hard work and dedication,” said Rumburg.
If Rumburg had to choose one word to describe her coaching experience, it would be rewarding.
Varsity Cheer Captain Morgan Branch believes Rumburg is deserving of the award and is a very hard worker.
“She’s very motivating for our team and does all the hard work behind the scenes, even if she doesn’t have to” said Branch. “I think that [she] is very deserving … after all she is always doing for us.”
Jean Davis is the head JV cheer coach at Linganore and has been coaching in Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) since 2002. Davis expressed that Rumburg is a supportive coach who loves the program and ensures all of her athletes feel supported.
“[Rumburg] is passionate, supportive and focused on our athletes and what will make them the best they can be on and off the mat,” Davis said. “Amy’s love for our program and every single athlete in it is absolute. We all love coaching, but for her, it’s so much more.”
Davis shared her initial reaction when finding out that Rumburg had won the award.
“Honestly, I cried,” Davis said. “I am extremely proud of her and where she has led this program. There is no one that deserves it more than Amy!”
When the award was announced, Rumburg shared that it was a huge surprise and a big accomplishment in her coaching career.
“It was a complete surprise; there was shock and a lot of emotions,” said Rumburg.
