Web Exclusive: ASU Alumni Nominated for a 2012 Ford Hoodie Award | News

Las Vegas, NV (WSFA)- Birmingham's Wenonah High School Basketball and Softball Coach Cedric Lane is still shock about his first-time nomination as "Best High School Coach" for the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards—uplifting neighborhoods and honoring the stars of local communities across the nation.

 "I was surprised. I am really grateful to have this opportunity to be here to represent Birmingham, my school, my fans, my players and our fans. It's just really an honor to be here," Lane said.

 Lane has been a coach and teacher at this Birmingham high school for eight years. His basketball team won the Alabama 5A State Championships in 2011 and 2012. Lane ws the head coach for the Alabama verses Mississippi All Star Game in March in Montgomery. He also teaches 10^th grade English.

 "We've had a lot of success lately and it comes from our guys working really hard," Lane said.  

 Lane was one of four nominees. Cheerleading Coach LaTrisha Perkins of Oxon Hill High School in Oxon Hill Maryland received the award. Football and Bocce Coach Jeffrey Johnson of Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland and Basketball Coach Baronton Terry of West Charlotte High School of Charlotte, North Carolina were the remaining nominees. While, he didn't take home the award, Lane says his is returning home to Birmingham and continuing the success of his team.

 "First giving honor to God, I want to thank my players and the people that took a chance to hire me and believed that I could get the job done," Lane said.

 Lane received his Master's in Education from Alabama State University in 2001. He has been nominated for Miles College's Sports Hall of Fame, where played basketball and received his Bachelor's Degree in 1997.

 Headline News Anchor Ryan Smith presented the award for "Best High School Coach," presented by the United States Marines. This was his first time attending the awards program.

 "I'm so excited. This is the greatest event in the country that we have for regular people. We are celebrating our businesses and community leaders that matter in this country. Community leaders are the ones that get our entire community going," Smith said.  

The host of the 10^th Annual Ford Hoodie Awards Steve Harvey marveled at the 48 nominees in 12 categories as they walked the blue carpet with the nearly 30 celebrity presenters for the awards show.

"They don't get a chance to walk the carpet and get their picture taken on the carpet like I do all the time. I get a round of applause everywhere I go and it's time to give people are in the kitchen cooking, washing cars and being leaders in their communities a round of applause," Harvey said.

Alabama was also represented in the "Best Church" category sponsored by Box Tops for Education. The award went to The Worship Center Christian Church of Birmingham, AL. Other nominations include First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Landover, Maryland, New Life Interdenominational Church of Lebanon, IL and New Life Covenant of Chicago, IL.

Continue to check our website for coverage of the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards festivities. Photos and video will be added to this web story later.

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