[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 30, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING COACH ERNIE AYERS AND COACH JOSH POWERS

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                            HON. TIM WALBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 30, 2019

  Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Coach Ernie 
Ayers of Sand Creek and Coach Josh Powers of Madison, both of whom will 
be inducted into the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association 
Hall of Fame in February.
  Coach Ayers has been leading Sand Creek to great success for the past 
38 years. In that span, he has amassed 17 conference championships, 8 
regional championships, two state titles, along with another 9 top-ten 
finishes. Adding to his accolades, Coach Ayers is already a member of 
one Michigan coaching hall of fame, receiving recognition for his 
coaching ability on the gridiron back in 2002 .
  When he took over the job at Madison, Coach Josh Powers recalled 
thinking, ``Well, how does Ernie do it?'' That formula has helped 
elevate Madison's track team to an elite program as well. While 
coaching 21 years for both boys and girls, Coach Powers has won a 
combined 22 conference championships, 11 regional championships, and 
three state titles.
  Despite all these honors, both coaches display a sense of humility, 
strong character, and are role models for the high school students on 
their teams. The investment they've made over decades mentoring young 
men and women and demonstrating the value of teamwork and perseverance 
will leave a lasting legacy in our community.
  Once again, I wish to congratulate Coach Ayers and Coach Powers on 
this impressive achievement and thank them for making such a positive 
impact on a generation of students in Lenawee County.

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