POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks will honor Coach Steve Hancock, area coach and administrator, with a prestigious Head, Heart, and Hands award during the annual Fall Convocation in The Howell W. Keeter Gymnasium.

Hancock is currently serving in his 52^nd year of impacting the lives of young men through coaching football. His career spans decades and includes time coaching in the following schools in Missouri: Harrisonville, Stockton, Branson, and Springfield Catholic. Hancock graduated from Central Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and Missouri State University with a Master of Science in administration. In his 28 years of leading the Branson Pirates, he took the team to 12 playoff appearances and two state runner-up titles. In addition to coaching, Steve served as athletic director for Branson Schools for much of his career.

Hancock’s daughter, Layne Wilks, serves as administrative assistant at School of the Ozarks.

“Coach Hancock is the same person on the field, in the classroom, in the community, at church, and at home,” Wilks said. “He is constantly serving, teaching, encouraging, and glorifying God in all he does. He will literally do anything for anyone at any time. His successes and impact go way beyond the football field. God has used football as a platform for Coach Hancock to impact countless lives. He has truly been my hero and role model my entire life, and I consider it one of the greatest gifts from God to call him my dad. I couldn’t be more proud or more excited for him to receive this much-deserved recognition.”

College of the Ozarks will host James Brown (also known as JB), host of The NFL Today on CBS and a special CBS news correspondent, for the Leonard B. and Edith Gittinger Fall Convocation on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023. A three-time Emmy Award-winner, he has hosted the Super Bowl a record-breaking 11 times.

To obtain reservations for the free event, visit the Colleges website (www.cofo.edu) or click here: https://forms.cofo.edu/232417401381952

More about Coach Steve Hancock

Coach Hancock has received numerous accolades and awards throughout his career, including two-time Missouri Football Coach of the Year, recipient of the Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administration Distinguished Service Award, recipient of the Southwest Activities Director of the Year award, formerly voted president of the Missouri Football Coaches Association, recipient of the Pete Atkins Power of Influence Award in 2010, recipient of the Branson Chamber of Conference Ambassador Award in 2010, induction into the Missouri Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1998, and induction into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. Branson Public Schools has established the Steve Hancock Outstanding Pirate Award, given to an athlete each year who demonstrates excellence on and off the field, and the City of Branson has made a proclamation to name August 25 as Coach Steve Hancock Day.

Most recently, Steve Hancock became the first inductee into the Branson Public School’s Wall of Honor located at Pirate Stadium. Although he is humbled and appreciative of all these awards, the greatest source of pride in his career is the lives he has been able to help shape and mold through the sport of football. He leads and serves his family, athletes, and community well and always puts his faith in Christ at the forefront of everything he does. Steve has been married to his faithful supporter, Marti, for over 50 years. Together, they have two daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren.