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Coach Eugenia Scavone Earns the NFHS Spirit Coach of the Year Award
Congratulations to Coach Scavone!
Montini Catholic celebrates Broncette Coach and alumna Eugenia Wasson Scavone '84 for earning the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) Spirit Coach of the Year Award. Coach Scavone was presented with this award on during the IHSA 1A Competitive Dance State Finals (January 31, 2026) at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington, Illinois. The former Broncette (and cheerleader) is enjoying her 36th anniversary as coach of Montini's award winning Broncettes.
As a part of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coach of the Year program, the IHSA administrative staff annually honors 33 individuals as NFHS Coaches of the Year in their respective sports and activities. Coaches of the Year are selected based on the results of the previous school year, as well as other elements such as career success, positive leadership, sportsmanship, and contributions to the sport.
As a part of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Coach of the Year program, the IHSA administrative staff annually honors 33 individuals as NFHS Coaches of the Year in their respective sports and activities. Coaches of the Year are selected based on the results of the previous school year, as well as other elements such as career success, positive leadership, sportsmanship, and contributions to the sport.
For 35 years, Eugenia has devoted herself to Montini Catholic's Broncettes, building a program defined not only by championship success but by the strength and confidence of the young women within it. A former Broncette herself, she returned to lead the team to an extraordinary 24 State Championships in Pom and Pom Dance through IDTA and TDI. Her enduring legacy is marked by her steadfast commitment to shaping resilient leaders whose growth extends well beyond the dance floor.
Eugenia was awarded Montini's Staff Dedication Award in 2023 and most recently celebrated being named the IHSA's 2024-2025 Spirit Dance Coach of the Year.
Eugenia was awarded Montini's Staff Dedication Award in 2023 and most recently celebrated being named the IHSA's 2024-2025 Spirit Dance Coach of the Year.
It was in the fall of 1991 that Eugenia began her rewarding coaching career at Montini. As head coach of the Broncettes, she has developed a dance team program that has enjoyed 22 combined IDTA and TDI state titles between 1991 -2015. Competing in IHSA since 2016, the Broncettes have been at State Finals in Competitive Dance each year and received 3rd Place trophies in 2018, 2019 and was 2nd Place State Runner Up for 2021 and in 2022. The team earned an 8th-place finish at the 2023 IHSA 2A State Finals, qualified for State again in 2024, and returned to the State stage in both 2025 and 2026 - capturing an impressive 5th-place finish each of those years.
Under Eugenia's leadership, Montini's Broncettes perform at half-time for home sporting events, school pep rallies and host dance clinics within the community. She is proud of the fact that Broncettes leave Montini with a sense of pride and accomplishment. "This sport provides opportunities for each team member to grow not only as a dancer and performer, but to improve confidence and develop skills in leadership, communication and time management."
Eugenia has also earned her spot on Montini Catholic's Hall of Fame wall (2003) and is a member of IDTA's (Illinois Drill Team Association) Hall of Fame.
"Coaching is my passion," said Eugenia when interviewed during her 30th anniversary year. "There are so many rewards. The biggest is being able to make a positive difference in someone’s high school experience by giving them a variety of great memories to take with them. These include half-time performances, our own choreography sessions, practices, competition season - placing in the top 3 for competition in IHSA, the fashion show, the kids' camps we host, alumni support and all the traditions that we keep - and the new traditions that we add on each year. The rewards just keep going on and on."
Coaching a large group of young, energetic teenagers has its challenges as well. "Every year the dynamics of the team change and what goes on in everyday life with young adults is different from how it was from what you remember as a teenager," says Eugenia. "Then on the competitive side, there is so much talent across the state of Illinois, you really cannot take anything for granted. So, the challenge is learning how to be creative, resilient, motivational, and open to change while at the same time staying true to who I am and to this program."
Under Eugenia's leadership, Montini's Broncettes perform at half-time for home sporting events, school pep rallies and host dance clinics within the community. She is proud of the fact that Broncettes leave Montini with a sense of pride and accomplishment. "This sport provides opportunities for each team member to grow not only as a dancer and performer, but to improve confidence and develop skills in leadership, communication and time management."
Eugenia has also earned her spot on Montini Catholic's Hall of Fame wall (2003) and is a member of IDTA's (Illinois Drill Team Association) Hall of Fame.
"Coaching is my passion," said Eugenia when interviewed during her 30th anniversary year. "There are so many rewards. The biggest is being able to make a positive difference in someone’s high school experience by giving them a variety of great memories to take with them. These include half-time performances, our own choreography sessions, practices, competition season - placing in the top 3 for competition in IHSA, the fashion show, the kids' camps we host, alumni support and all the traditions that we keep - and the new traditions that we add on each year. The rewards just keep going on and on."
Coaching a large group of young, energetic teenagers has its challenges as well. "Every year the dynamics of the team change and what goes on in everyday life with young adults is different from how it was from what you remember as a teenager," says Eugenia. "Then on the competitive side, there is so much talent across the state of Illinois, you really cannot take anything for granted. So, the challenge is learning how to be creative, resilient, motivational, and open to change while at the same time staying true to who I am and to this program."
