Congrats to Our 2026 Inductees
Mke Woods
Mike Woods opened Hamilton High School in 1998 coaching high school for 39 years as of 2026. Hamilton has won 9 State Titles and has been runner-up 3 times. The program has 25 consecutive State Tournament appearances and reached the State Semi Finals 16 times. Over 150 players have gone on to play college baseball, including 57 D1 players, over 35 players drafted or signed professionally, 5 MLB players, and 5 Gatorade Arizona POY's. Woods credits the players for Hamilton’s success. He is supported by wife Ellen and children Chelsea and Connor.
Jeff Anderson/2026 HOF/Swimming/ Dobson HS
Anderson coached the boys swimming program at Dobson from 1982-2010, with a dual meet record of 185-30-3. Anderson piloted Dobson to the only swimming title in 1987, beating out Brophy in a prestigious win. Brophy has won every 5A boys swim title since 1987. Anderson's teams finished state runners-up seven times and third in state six times. Dobson also won 12 region titles under Anderson, claiming those titles in a stretch from 1986-2000. He was one of eight finalists for the National Swim Coach of the Year.
Leonard Suarez began his coaching career in 1972 as an Assistant Track & Field Coach at Bisbee High School, contributing to a program that earned multiple state championships throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. In 1974, he revived the school’s Cross Country program after a three-year hiatus, and in 1980, following Title IX, he launched the Girls Cross Country program.
Over 20 years as Bisbee High School’s Cross Country Coach, Leonard’s teams achieved remarkable success:
• Boys Cross Country: 1 State Championship, 4 State Runner-up finishes, 4 third-place finishes, and 17 of 20 Region titles. He coached one boy to an individual State Cross Country Championship.
• Girls Cross Country: 1 State Championship with a record-low score of 19 points, 1 third-place finish, and 5 Region titles. He coached two girls to individual State Cross Country Championships.
In 1994, Leonard transitioned to Athletic Director at Bisbee High School, stepping away from coaching to focus on administrative responsibilities. His passion for the sport continued as he served as State Cross Country and Track & Field Meet Director for the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) from 1990 to 2010. Leonard played a key role in consolidating state championships into a single venue and worked alongside respected colleagues such as Roy Fenton and Gary Chaney.
Leonard’s contributions earned him induction into the Arizona Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame, the Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame, and recognition as the Arizona Coaches Association All-Star Cross Country Meet Dedicatee.
From 2002 to 2013, Leonard held leadership roles as Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, and Facility Director at schools including Tucson Sunnyside, Cave Creek Cactus Shadows, Tucson Ironwood Ridge, and Tucson High. Between 2012 and 2017, he assisted Cross Country and Track programs at Tucson Salpointe and Catalina Foothills, coaching two boys to individual State Cross Country titles.
Although retired from coaching, Leonard remains active as a certified Track & Field/Cross Country official with AIA, USATF, NCAA, and World Athletics. His dedication to the sport extended globally when he served as a logistics volunteer for the 2012 London Summer Olympics and the upcoming 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
Key Achievements
20 years as Bisbee High School’s Cross Country Coach
Boys Cross Country: 1 State Championship, 4 State Runner-up finishes, 4 third-place finishes, and 17 of 20 Region titles
Girls Cross Country: 1 State Championship with a record-low score of 19 points, 1 third-place finish, and 5 Region titles
Coached one boy and two girls to individual State Cross Country Championships
Career Highlights
1994: Transitioned to Athletic Director at Bisbee High School
1990–2010: Served as State Cross Country and Track & Field Meet Director for AIA Instrumental in consolidating state championships into a single venue
Inducted into Arizona Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame
Inducted into Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame Recognized as Arizona Coaches Association All-Star Cross Country Meet Dedicatee
Later Roles
2002–2013: Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, and Facility Director at multiple schools 2012
2017: Assisted Cross Country and Track programs at Tucson Salpointe and Catalina Foothills, coaching two boys to individual State titles
Certified Track & Field/Cross Country official with AIA, USATF, NCAA, and World Athletics
Volunteer for 2012 London Summer Olympics and 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics
Don Conrad
Don Conrad began his career as an educator after a standout career as a linebacker at Southern Utah State College (now Southern Utah University). He was the head football coach at Cyprus High School in the Salt Lake City area and then became the defensive coordinator at Southern Utah. In 1983, he was named the head football coach at SUSC and later assumed the same title at Eastern Arizona College.
Don came to Thatcher High School in 1995 as the head baseball coach and assisted with the football program. He was named head football coach in 2000 and his Eagle teams won back-to-back state titles in 2000 and 2001. His baseball teams also enjoyed tremendous success with state runner-up finishes in 2000 and 2001.
Under Coach Conrad’s leadership, THS won another state title in 2006 and won seven regional titles under his tenure leading the program. Don also coached the golf team at Thatcher High School. He served as the dean of students and athletic director from 2012-2018.
His leadership propelled the football program at Thatcher High School to new heights as one of the most successful small school programs in the state. He was named Arizona Football Coaches Association (AzFCA) Coach of the Year in 2001 and the Arizona Republic Small School Football Coach of the Year in 2006. Don was also the region coach of the year in 2000, 2001, and 2006.
Coach Conrad ended his career in education in 2021 after 48 years of service.
Coach Digger O’Dell
Coach Digger O’Dell served his country 13 months in Vietnam earning 2 Purple Hearts. His military service gave him the privilege of the G.I. Bill for college tuition. O’Dell enrolled at Eastern Arizona Junior College and played football and wrestled at the Thatcher school. Digger completed his education at Arizona State University in special education.
Coach O’Dell returned to Thatcher, AZ as a teacher and was the Head Wrestling Coach and an assistant football coach at Thatcher High School. His career led him to Round Valley where he also assisted in football and coached wrestling. The RV Elks were state champions in football and state runners-up in wrestling during his stay in Eagar. His travels continued on the Kearney Ray High School where he was the head coach in wrestling and football. Digger moved back to the White Mountains to Show Low High School for the next 10 years and coached wrestling and football. Coach O’Dell next made his longest stop near home at Pima High School for 25 years as their head coach and assistant football coach. His last prep stop was at Queen Creek Jr. High School coaching wrestling for 2 years. His Pima teams were Wrestling State Champions in 1996 and were runners up and third one more time each. The annual invitational wrestling tournament in Pima is now named after Digger O’Dell.
In addition to his coaching history Coach O’Dell has accumulated the following resume of achievements: Induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1015, All-Star Wrestling Coach three times, 75% overall winning percentage with 315 wins, 8 regional championships, 9 years the AIA State Wrestling Tournament Director, AIA ref 6 years, AIA Legislative Council, conference coach of the year three times, and Grand Marshall of the 2025 Arizona State Wrestling Tournament,
