The leaders of two of Canby’s most successful and beloved high school athletics programs have been named the community’s best coaches in the Canby Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Best of Canby awards.
Local residents voted to have Canby dance coach Jenn Chaffee and head football coach Jimmy Joyce share the inaugural honor — which the chamber announced this week to coincide with the approaching end of the 2020-21 academic year.
Heading into his third season with the Canby Cougars, Joyce rebuilt the team’s coaching staff and has worked hard to transform the culture of the once-proud football program after a prolonged losing streak that included a winless 2018 campaign.
“While Coach Joyce is new to Canby football, he has landed with quite the impact, focusing on skills and culture as he guides the young athletes through their training and competitive season,” said Canby Chamber Director Kyle Lang. “He’s taking his team on the road to success and we are excited about their future.”
“I am very honored to be recognized especially alongside the great Coach Chaffee,” Joyce told The Canby Current. “Canby High School is blessed with amazing coaches, and all are deserving of this honor, in my opinion.”
Under Chaffee, the Canby Cougar Dance Team has developed into one of the premier programs in the Pacific Northwest, winning five straight state champions and gunning for No. 6 before the coronavirus pandemic derailed the tournament in March 2020.
“She has proven time and time again that she can take different teams and mold them into a competitive force,” said Lang. “Her team is a delight to watch. Both coaches are beloved by their athletes, and we couldn’t be happier to take a moment to honor their hard work with our young local athletes.”
Chaffee said she was grateful for the honor.
“It’s humbling to know that these interactions I have with these dancers and their families extend into the community,” she said. “I’m thankful that our town recognizes the hard work these athletes put in and celebrates their growth and success each year!
“It’s the most fun job in the world and I get to coach with two incredible friends! I can try to be my best for these dancers because I am so well supported by my family, assistant coaches, dancers, their families, and the staff at Canby High School.”