By Macy Reeves for the FCT

Coach Chris Heaps from Russellville High School received the Sammy Dunn Memorial Award for the Coach of the Year in the state of Alabama Jan. 22.

Every year the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association selects a coach out of the seven state champions to receive this award. Heaps received the award at the 21st Annual Coaches Convention Award Banquet. Dunn’s son, Cassey Dunn, presented the award to Heaps.

Sammy Dunn was a longtime coach at Vestavia Hills, who won seven consecutive state championships, nine overall. Heaps was friends with Dunn when Heaps coached at Hartsell.

“I’m very honored; it means we accomplish great things as a team,” Heaps said. “To have my name mentioned in the same sentence as (Dunn’s) is such an honor. I’ve been around some great people, with some great talent … It’s all about the players and the assistant coaches. I’m just lucky enough to receive it,” Heaps said.