A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR COACH PHIL SAVITZ OF RIVER BLUFF HIGH SCHOOL FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CAREER AS BOTH COACH AND EDUCATOR, TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON THE OCCASION OF HIS APPROACHING RETIREMENT AS A COACH, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH SUCCESS IN ALL HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

 

Whereas, it is with great pleasure that the South Carolina House of Representatives honors those individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to educate the young people of this great State. Prominent in the roll call of such benefactors to our youth is Phil Savitz, River Bluff High School's retiring soccer coach; and

 

Whereas, after an illustrious forty-four-year career in coaching, including an unparalleled thirty-three-year tenure as boys head soccer coach at Irmo High School and, for the last eleven years, at River Bluff High School, Phil Savitz has officially announced his retirement, set for the end of this season. With over eight hundred victories, Coach Savitz holds the record for the most wins by a soccer coach in the state's history. He will leave behind an indelible mark on the soccer landscape in South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, a graduate of the University of South Carolina (USC) with certification in physical education, Phil Savitz began his coaching journey with two years as a USC graduate assistant. The years that followed proved his personal skill as a coach and his dedication to teaching and coaching, which together formed the foundation of his distinguished career; and

 

Whereas, Coach Savitz's teams have consistently excelled throughout his tenure, securing them numerous regional championships and a state-record fifteen state championships. Twenty-four appearances in the state finals and a legacy of fourteen State Players of the Year further attest to his exceptional coaching prowess. Many of his players have transitioned to successful collegiate careers, a testament to his commitment to both athletic and academic excellence; and

 

Whereas, because of his emphasis on academic excellence, his teams repeatedly have received the NSCAA Team Academic Award for outstanding achievement in the classroom. This recognition reflects his dedication to developing well-rounded student athletes; and

 

Whereas, a perennial figure in coaching accolades, Coach Savitz has earned regional, state, and national Coach of the Year honors. His contributions were acknowledged when he was inducted into the South Carolina Soccer Coaches Association's inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2007 and the South Carolina Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2012; and

 

Whereas, ranked nationally by USA Today and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) multiple times, Coach Savitz's teams have achieved three appearances in the national top five. His squads twice have won four consecutive state championships, a record unmatched in Class 4A by any other coach; and

 

Whereas, Coach Savitz is also known for his involvement with the North and South All-Star teams and for his service as co-head coach of the South Carolina All-Stars in the Clash of the Carolinas All-Star game; and

 

Whereas, grateful for Phil Savitz's legacy of consistent commitment and excellence, the South Carolina House of Representatives takes great pleasure in wishing him well as he completes a distinguished coaching career in the spring of 2024. The members trust that he will find much enjoyment in the more leisurely pace of the days ahead. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Coach Phil Savitz of River Bluff High School for his outstanding career as both coach and educator, congratulate him on the occasion of his approaching retirement as a coach, and wish him much success in all his future endeavors.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Phil Savitz.

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