Barry Croshaw has been coaching football in Watrous since 1992.

His football acumen has paved the way for one of the most successful football programs in the province, with the Wildcats earning six of the last 14 2A six man provincial titles.

On Saturday, Croshaw was rewarded for his dedication to the game by Football Saskatchewan, earning the Darcey Busse award for coaching excellence.

"It was one of surprise, but one that I'm really proud to have my name on the same trophy as Darcey, as he was a good friend of mine, back coaching against each other," Croshaw stated.

Busse is also notorious in high school football in Saskatchewan. He started the program in Outlook, guiding them to three straight provincial finals in the first four years of their existence, winning the championship in 2003.

In 2002, Croshaw earned his first provincial championship as head coach of the Wildcats with a 75-34 win over Busse's Outlook team.

"It is such an honour to be on the plaque with Darcey," said Croshaw. "He was a person that was full of integrity and character."

Busse passed away in 2008 and was inducted to the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

Under Croshaw, the Wildcats next picked up a championship in 2006 over Raymore before earning four in five seasons in 2010, with a threepeat from 2012 to 2014.

In addition to his long tenure as head coach in Watrous, Croshaw has also coached many other school sports, as well as softball and hockey.

He says that coaching provides a window to build more direct relationships with players.

"I think that it gives us an opportunity to reach kids outside the classroom in ways that we can't reach them," he explained. "It gives us a lot better relationship with the kids both in and outside the school. It gives us an opportunity to guide them in a good direction."

"The thing that means the most to me is the idea that you can touch generations of kids and you can teach them the value of things you believe in like integrity and discipline. Things that you don't necessarily get in the classroom because you don't have time to work with them one on one."

Over his many years coaching, the relationships you can build with not only players, but other people is near the top of Croshaw's favourite things about sports.

"Working with kids and developing those relationships that still exist from 20 years ago," he said. "Also, it's really great to get to know kids and coaches from other parts of the province that you wouldn't know otherwise."

No shortage of work goes into being able to win six provincial championships. Croshaw adds that the coaches he has been able to work with have served a great role along with him.

"They make coaching a lot of fun and a lot easier. There is a lot of people that deserve some credit towards this."

Croshaw was given the designation during the annual Football Saskatchewan Coaches Clinic in Saskatoon.

Hear Croshaw's full interview with Bolt FM's Tyler Bieber below.