Saline mistakenly awards swim coach Todd Brunty national coach of the year plaque

By Pete Cunningham Sports Director

Posted on Wed, Jan 11, 2012 : 5:12 p.m.

A national coach of the year award presented to Saline High School boys swimming and diving coach Todd Brunty was done so in error.

A plaque presented to Brunty on Thursday, Jan. 5 identified him as the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association coach of the year. NISCA officials informed AnnArbor.com that such an award does not exist.

"NISCA was not the organization that awarded Saline coach Todd Brunty the 'National Coach of the Year' award. Saline was awarded the Class 3 National Dual Meet Championship as a team, but we do not award a specific coach of the year," NISCA secretary Eve Julian said in an email.

An official with the National Federation of State High School Associations confirmed that Brunty was named the 2010 NFHS state coach of the year and the school’s boys swimming team won a 2011 NISCA national championship.

Saline athletic director Rob White said parents and administrators confused the awards and a plaque was made in recognition of an award they mistakenly thought Brunty had won.

"Everyone’s intentions in this were good, the word 'national' caused some confusion and unfortunately we presented a recognition that wasn’t accurate," White said. "It's an unfortunate mistake."

Contact Pete Cunningham at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.