By Matt Browning

Shawn and Shannon Long have been a part of youth sports at the YMCA since 2015.

They started as assistant coaches in 2015 before Shawn became a head flag football coach in 2017. In 2020, he coached two baseball teams, a soccer team, a basketball team and a flag football team.

“Shawn and Shannon are truly dedicated to coaching their children through youth sports experience,” YMCA Director Scott Hill said. “They are extremely caring and one of the nicest couples I have come into contact with since being here.”

The Longs spent their own time and money on a variety of activities at the YMCA including cookouts, pizza parties and tea parties for their respective teams they coached or sponsored.

“Shawn and Shannon are always looking for ways to provide a good experience for the players on their teams,” Hill said. “Shawn does most of the coaching, while Shannon does the planning and communicating.”