Coach Byron Maynes Wins Spirit of Cotton Award
The winner of the 6th annual Spirit of Cotton Award is Byron Maynes of Salome High School in Salome, Arizona. Phoenix Suns Charities will honor Coach Maynes – current girls basketball and track coach – when he and 43 of his students attend the Suns-Timberwolves game Monday, April 11 at US Airways Center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
Over the past 25 years, Maynes has coached football, boys and girls basketball, softball, and track at Salome High School. He has led his programs to numerous regional and state playoff games, including one state championship. Maynes’ success has garnered him five “Coach of the Year” awards in 1A West Girls Basketball.
In addition to his accomplishments on the court, Maynes has had a positive impact on his students through his involvement in academics and the community. Currently, he is the school’s athletic director and the dean of students.
He has held positions as assistant principal, interim superintendent, and a volunteer firefighter for the Salome Fire Department. In past years, Maynes has been honored for his exceptional work in the classroom and community with the Phoenix Suns/America West Airlines Educator of the Year award and two Department of Air Force Education and Training Command Outstanding Teacher Awards.
“Being selected as recipient for the Spirit of Cotton Award is a great honor as a coach,” said Coach Maynes. “Cotton was more than just a coach. He invested in a personal relationship with his players and concerned himself with what they accomplished off the court, as well. Having former players and coworkers believe I am worthy of being nominated for such an award is extremely heartwarming. I couldn’t have done it without the love and support of my wife, Lynette.”
The Spirit of Cotton Award, named in memory of former Suns Head Coach Cotton Fitzsimmons who passed away in July 2004, honors a high school coach in Arizona who consistently demonstrates the best qualities of a coach, educator, mentor and community leader.
“There is a very special significance to this year’s selection,” said JoAnn Fitzsimmons, wife of the late Cotton Fitzsimmons. “Coach Maynes reflects not only the spirit of Cotton, but the spirit of Cotton’s beloved high school coach and mentor, James A. Wilson. Coach Wilson had a tremendous influence on Cotton’s life and it is clear that Coach Maynes has that same influence on his players, his students, and the entire Salome community. In actuality, we are honoring three remarkable men with this year’s award.”
As part of the award, Coach Maynes will receive a commemorative plaque, custom ring designed by Coffin & Trout Fine Jewellers, and an Arizona weekend get-away for two at the luxurious Wigwam Resort. In addition, Phoenix Suns Charities will make a grant of $10,000 to Salome High School’s athletic department.
Fitzsimmons had been an integral part of the Suns since 1970 with his first of three stints as the team’s head coach. Over a 20-year NBA coaching career, Fitzsimmons won 832 games with four different franchises. He was twice honored as NBA Coach of the Year (1979 with Kansas City and 1989 with the Suns).
