COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Archery has announced the recipients of the 2025 Coach of the Year Awards, a prestigious honor which recognizes the extraordinary commitment, innovative coaching strategies, and profound positive impact these leaders have had on their athletes and the archery community over the past year.
Every archer's journey, from the first curious pull of the string in an introductory class to the pressure of a national podium, is undeniably influenced by their coach. Coaches are the unsung heroes of our sport - they are the technicians, the motivators, the mentors, and the dedicated individuals who invest countless hours in fostering not just athletic skill, but character, resilience, and a lifelong love for archery.
Join us in celebrating the incredible individuals who exemplify the highest standards of quality coaching across all levels of development. Their dedication is the heartbeat of our sport, and their success stories are the foundation of the USA's growing excellence in archery.
Developmental Coach of the Year
The Developmental Coach of the Year award celebrates excellence in coaching, honoring a remarkable individual whose dedication to quality coaching has been exemplary. This prestigious accolade recognizes a coach who not only demonstrates exceptional knowledge and expertise but also embodies the application of evidence-based practices and an athlete-centered approach. The 2025 female and male Developmental Coach of the Year recipients are:
Heather Pfeil. Heather is recognized as the Developmental Coach of the Year for her exemplary commitment to evidence-based and athlete-centered coaching at Lancaster Archery Academy. As a Level 4-NTS coach, she continuously refines her training methods based on cutting-edge research, ensuring every archer receives contemporary and effective instruction. This intentional approach, which includes personalized plans, video analysis, and mental skills training, is evident in the success of athletes across all levels, from beginners to elite performers like Olympic medalist Casey Kaufhold. Ultimately, Heather’s dedication to holistic development fosters a supportive, high-performance culture where all archers build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love for the sport.
Chad Jones. Coach Chad is honored for his exceptional commitment to holistic athlete development and his continuous pursuit of coaching excellence, epitomized by his progression to a Level 4 NTS Coach and his authorship of The Process Journal. His athlete-centered philosophy integrates evidence-based mental frameworks and rigorous technical training, leading to outstanding competitive results, including seven athletes making USAT teams and multiple collegiate All-Americans. Crucially, Chad’s dedication extends beyond scores, as his renowned generosity and personal investment ensure every archer, regardless of background, is supported to build character, resilience, and long-term success both in archery and in life.Volunteer Coach of the Year
The Volunteer Coach of the Year award celebrates excellence in coaching, honoring a remarkable individual whose dedication to quality coaching has been exemplary and volunteers their time coaching. This prestigious accolade recognizes a volunteer coach who not only demonstrates exceptional knowledge and expertise but also embodies the application of evidence-based practices and an athlete-centered approach. The 2025 female and male Volunteer Coach of the Year recipients are:
Johana “Cindy” Czako. Coach Cindy (Johana) is recognized for her extraordinary and selfless dedication to supporting youth archers, consistently going above and beyond by traveling at her own expense to multiple USAT tournaments throughout 2024 and 2025. Her commitment is evident in her swift response to equipment failures and her exceptional skill in providing mental and emotional support, helping archers - including five who made the USAT team - regain focus during high-pressure elimination rounds. Cindy's ability to adapt her coaching style to individual needs, while ensuring holistic care through reminders about hydration and nutrition, cultivates confidence and resilience, making her an outstanding mentor for young competitors.
David Cho. Coach David Cho embodies excellence through a unique blend of ancient Korean wisdom and modern techniques, which he uses to customize coaching for everyone from novices to Olympic athletes. As a Level 4 Coach, he leverages his deep expertise in fields like physics and anatomy, even incorporating AI technology and custom training aids to ensure highly individualized and effective development. Coach Cho's dedication remains selfless and profound, consistently volunteering his time and sharing his decades of experience to cultivate world-class skill, confidence, and mental adaptability in his students.Congratulations to all these wonderful coaches! If you believe your coach is deserving of a Coach of the Year Award, please consider nominating them for 2026. To learn about all Coach of the Year Award categories, visit usarchery.org.
< Back to All News
