Dan Smith made the announcement of the 2009 St. Joseph Sports, Inc., coach of the year brief and poignant.

The president of the group honoring a city coach for the 12th year didn't need to say much else. Central football coach Tony Dudik earned the honor for the first time, and according to Smith, the longtime mentor became the first to earn a unanimous vote.

Selected from a pool of one nominee from each of the city's five high schools, Dudik took home an award long overdue for a coach so intertwined with St. Joseph's youth for the past three-plus decades.

"I appreciate the fact that they recognized my years of service," Dudik said. "There are better coaches in this room; there is no doubt, but I don't know if there's people in this room that care more about kids than I do."

Dudik coached the Indians to a 2-8 2008 campaign and recently finished the 2009 season at 3-7.

But his 33 years of service - the past 23 as head football coach - continued the oft-repeated theme of being about more than wins and losses. From the start of Wednesday night's ceremony at the St. Joseph Country Club Ballroom, Dudik took a starring role.

After announcing his impending retirement midway through the 2009 school year, Dudik's final season became a farewell tour of sorts - culminating with an emotional final game Oct. 30 at Park Hill.

That journey continued with another sentimental night for Dudik as he earned the honor in front of a slew of his longtime peers and fellow city coaches. Many of the speakers took time to mention Dudik during their time at the podium and remembered his service to St. Joseph.

"You don't think about just coach of the year with coach Dudik; you think about a lifetime achievement award," said Lafayette football coach Paul Woolard, who was one of five nominees for the award and a former player and co-worker under Dudik. "He really deserved it, and it's an awesome thing for him."

Dudik, who finishes his 23 years at Central with a 101-115 career record, received a standing ovation prior to accepting the award and another after he finished his acceptance speech. Afterward, coaches, Sports, Inc., members, players and even fellow nominees took time to congratulate Dudik on the honor.

"I totally feel blessed and appreciative," Dudik said. "What you learn over time is it's not about you; it's never about you. The most important thing for me tonight is my wife was here, and several years ago, she made a decision to allow me to do what I do.

"I said it tonight, and it's the truth. She's missed four varsity football games (in 33 years). You don't get any better support than that."

Dudik also spent 22 years as wrestling coach at Central. He's the first Indians coach to win the award since Mark Peterson in 2003 and the fifth overall.