Bainbridge High School Athletic Director Kaycee Taylor has been chosen as the latest recipient of the Metro League’s Athletic Director of the Year award, school officials announced.

The annual awardee is selected by a vote of all athletic directors throughout the league. It is a reflection of Taylor’s tireless work with all sports programs at the school, BHS Principal Duane Fish said.

“We are proud to call Mr. Taylor our AD,” Fish added.

The Metro League, often cited as one of the most competitive in the state, is made up of 17 schools.

“I feel both honored and humbled that my fellow ADs voted for me to represent the Metro League with this recognition,” Taylor said. “When I think about the caliber of people in the league, the schools they represent, and the fact that Metro produces so many state champions in all of the sports, I know what a great honor it is to be chosen by my peers.

“Each league in the state puts forward the name of one of their own to go to the next level for recognition,” he added. “In our case, that would be Sea-King District, and then finally to state to determine the AD of the Year for all of Washington at the annual conference in Spokane in the spring; while it is exciting to think about those recognitions, the Metro League ADs work so closely together that having those people choose me is honestly what really counts.”

Taylor said he had no idea whatsoever that he was the frontrunner for the award.

“When the nominees were read at the last meeting I thought there was little chance I would win,” Taylor admitted. “The other ADs had more experience in the league or their schools have multiple state championship titles, so I figured I was a long shot at best.”

Taylor added that his selection echoes a larger respect for BHS within the Metro League.

“They recognize the value of a well-rounded sports program,” he said. “Not just the best teams in the league. I think BHS deserves this award; the players, coaches, parents and community are really the ones that make my job possible.”

The award comes at a particularly difficult time for Taylor, as he recently announced that he would be stepping down as head coach for the boys swimming and diving team for a bit due to a cancer diagnosis.

He noted his cancer is “very treatable,” but that Greg Colby, an assistant coach for the boys swim team and longtime coach of the BHS girls swim team, will take over as coach for the boys squad.

Taylor said his impending stepping down was weighing heavily on his mind as the voting process began.

“When we had our last Metro AD meeting, we were going through our agenda,” he remembered. “In the back of my mind, I had this information about my health that I needed to share; but there really is no place to just slip that in and then not have the whole meeting be about what I am going through. So, especially when it came time to vote for the award, I really didn’t want to bring it up. If I was going to be recognized, it should be on the merits of what I have tried to do these past three years.

“Of course, then when the meeting was over and I still hadn’t said anything, I felt like I had to send an email to the group,” he laughed, adding that ferry travel time is great for that type of thing.

“Their support and encouragement were tremendous,” Taylor said. “All of the league ADs really care about each other. Our schools compete like crazy against each other and all schools want their teams to win, but every single AD in the league wants what is best for all kids at every league school and we look out for each other, too.”

Taylor said the award reaffirmed the work he’d done at the school.

“I like to think this job matters to what is happening here at BHS and that in some way I am making a positive impact on student-athletes and the community,” he said. “It is much harder to see that when I am not interacting with kids on a daily basis like I did as a teacher. At the same time, I think our community should be very proud of our teams, and see the work of the coaches, support staff [and] admin. And my role as the AD is to create a long-term, sustainable, vibrant, healthy and competitive program that will last much longer than any individual involved.”

The former social studies teacher said that time will be the true test of any progress he has made during his tenure as athletic director.

“When I look at all of the pictures, trophies, banners and the recognition of our teams on campus, I want that to continue for as long as possible with or without me.

“Athletics provides space, opportunities and challenges for people to be part of something bigger than themselves,” he added. “I hope I can continue to contribute to that here at BHS now and into the future.”

Taylor will continue as athletic director, he added, saying people will still see him at school, games and meetings unless he has a medical appointment or needs rest.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to raise financial support for Taylor and his family. In just 13 days, the campaign has received 218 individual contributions amounting to nearly $22,000 for Taylor’s treatment.

To contribute, visit www.gofundme.com/BHSTeamTaylor.