Claborn Campbell is a state champion on the track and trails, but his impact as a coach extends far beyond either surface at Cold Springs.

For that reason — and so many others — the Eagles’ longtime leader was recently selected as the Class 2A recipient of the Making a Difference Award from the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) and Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA).

Campbell and each honoree from the state’s other six classifications will be recognized at the Championship Coaches Banquet July 22 in Montgomery. The event annually wraps up the AHSAA Summer Conference and All-Star Sports Week.

Gaylesville’s Kyle Garmon (1A), Fultondale’s Stephanie Robinson (3A), Montevallo’s Tena Niven (4A), Dallas County’s Willie Moore (5A), Carver-Montgomery’s Gary Hall (6A) and Bob Jones’ Kent Chambers (7A) round out this year’s award winners. The accolade was created in 2011 with the intention of spotlighting “individuals who go beyond their normal duties as a coach, teacher or administrator.”

Cold Springs’ girls basketball coach Tammy West received the award in 2013.

“The recipients in this 2016 Making a Difference class are more examples of men and women who take their positions as role models for their students, faculty and community very seriously,” said AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese in a press release. “This award is the most important honor a professional educator in our state can receive. Characteristics considered for this prestigious award include the recipient’s character, integrity and service, all of which have enabled these individuals to have a life-changing impact on the community or school where they serve.”

Campbell recently retired from teaching but will continue to coach at Cold Springs, where he’s captured four state titles in 30-plus years on campus. Since November 2014 alone, the Eagles’ boys have lifted back-to-back state cross country crowns and the school’s only track and field title. Campbell’s first state championship came courtesy of Cold Springs’ 2006 cross country girls squad.

The AHSAA’s Making a Difference release called Campbell “a man with strong faith and wisdom,” and recounted a 2012 incident where he corrected a scoring error following the section track meet that dropped the Eagles from second to third. Admitting the mistake meant handing the runner-up trophy Cold Springs had already accepted over to rival Falkville.

Falkville coach Keith Wilemon lauded Campbell for his “honesty and integrity” regarding the situation.

“As always, he and his team exemplify sportsmanship and class,” Wilemon told the AHSAA in 2012. “We are honored to call him a friend. He is a wonderful example for all coaches.”

Wilemon isn’t Campbell’s only peer to hold him in high esteem.

William Calvert and Campbell first met at Cold Springs in 1981. Since then, their professional and coaching “careers have intertwined in a lot of different ways.”

With Calvert at St. Bernard, the two are now technically rivals, but that hasn’t stopped him from telling a few folks lately that Campbell would have a sure spot on his Mt. Rushmore of coaches for Cullman City and Cullman County.

“That’s truly a well-deserved award. I can’t think of anybody that deserves it more,” Calvert said. “There’s nobody that cares more and makes a bigger difference in the lives of his athletes. And students in the classroom, too. It’s not just his athletes. He’s touched countless, countless young people over his career.”