High school football coach award named for Times’ Eric Sondheimer

The Los Angeles Chapter of the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame has named a new high school football coaches award after Los Angeles Times sportswriter Eric Sondheimer.

The first recipient of the award is Gregg Barden, coach at Los Angeles’ Belmont High. Barden will be honored Friday night during an awards banquet that recognizes high school scholar athletes.

“More than victories (though this year’s coach did lead his team to a championship), the award is meant to honor a high school coach who demonstrates the integrity, work ethic, sportsmanship and decency one would hope to find in a high school coach in any sport,” said John Girardi, chapter president.

“In his work, Eric demonstrates the same integrity, work ethic, sportsmanship and decency. While keeping high school sports in perspective, he celebrates the accomplishments of high school athletes and also casts a critical eye on those who would game the system.”

Sondheimer has been a high school sports columnist for The Times since 1997.