Alan Beckett of Winterboro High School and Richard Dutton of Lawrence County High School have been named two of the seven winners of the 2017 AHSAA Making a Difference Award. The award is given to coaches, administrators and teachers who go beyond the call of duty to make a difference in their school and community. Beckett is the Class 1A winner while Dutton garnered the 5A award.
Coach Beckett has just completed his fifth year as head football coach and athletic director. The small Talladega County school has been short on coaches but big on character with Beckett. He has rebuilt the athletic program, including football. His squad was 0-10 in his first season but has now posted back to back winning seasons. His positive attitude and concern for students is a large part of his success. “He is a father to the fatherless and a mentor to those who need a mentor,” said Winterboro principal Emily Harris.
A graduate of Lawrence County, Coach Dutton has just completed his sixth year at Moulton. In football he has led the Red Devils to their first two playoff appearances in a decade. Much of Coach Dutton’s success is due to a concentration of team building activities. He is also fluent in Spanish and has served the community as an interpreter in a growing Spanish community.
The awards will be presented at next month’s AHSAA Summer Conference.