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Carl Waits, former Athletic Director, teacher and bus driver for Dripping Springs ISD (and also the sports writer for this newspaper) was recognized last week at a recipient of the 2025 Community Leader Award, sponsored by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and Community Coffee.
“He’s been a part of everything over the past six decades that is Dripping Springs athletics,” said Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Galen Zimmerman, who nominated Coach Waits for the award. “He’s the ultimate fan beyond being a teacher, coach, and bus driver. If there’s something that needs to be done, he’s going to do it. He is Dripping Springs ISD.”
Coach Waits is one of 10 influential community leaders across Texas who will be recognized throughout the 2025 high school football season. Each Community Leader will receive a commemorative football and gift package, as well as a $500 donation to their school.
Now in the award’s third year, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and Community Coffee continue celebrating educators and school administrators who make an impact in the lives of student-athletes — both on the field and in the classroom.
“Community Coffee is passionate about supporting educators as they create a better future for our communities,” said Tom Corley, President and CEO of Community Coffee. “By honoring Community Leaders, we spotlight their important work and reinforce our commitment to investing in education and the well-being of our youth.”
Each Community Leader will be revealed and honored in an interview posted on Community Coffee’s YouTube channel. One interview will be shared each week of the Texas high school football season, with the last winner being announced the week of November 3rd.
After all 10 of this season’s Community Leaders have been revealed, Dave Campbell’s Texas Football will hold a vote for the overall Community Leader of the Year Award. The poll will be open for two weeks, with the winner receiving an additional $2,500 donation from Community Coffee.
Along with the Community Leader Award, Community Coffee makes a positive impact on schools through the Community Cash for Schools® program. Since 1988, the program has brought communities together to raise over $8.7 million in educational funding.
You can view the video about Coach Carl Waits here:
youtu.be/spOiL7PSuXE
