Paul Carrozza, head coach of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School cross country, track and swimming teams, was named a member of the inaugural National Fitness Foundation’s honorary board in early March.

Carrozza is a familiar face to many athletes and runners in the Austin area. The founder of Run Tex in the late 1980s, he is credited with building the city’s reputation for promoting and supporting active lifestyles, a release from St. Stephen's said. Carrozza has led the St. Stephen’s cross country and track teams since 2015 as a part-time coach. He joined the faculty full time in August 2018, when he also began leading the school’s swimming and diving program and teaching physical education and health classes.

“The St. Stephen’s school community is thrilled to celebrate this great honor with Coach Carrozza, who has dedicated his life and career to promoting athletic pursuits and healthy living,” Jon McCain, director of athletics at St. Stephen’s, said in a statement. “We are proud to have Paul train our student athletes and serve as a model for healthy living for all Spartans.”

According to the National Fitness Foundation website, the organization was created by Congress in 2010 as a nonpartisan nonprofit to support the mission of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. The Foundation’s honorary board was established in February 2018 to commemorate the dedicated service of proven health and fitness leaders and provide them with the opportunity to engage in their work leading programs and driving innovations that prepare children for a lifetime of health and fitness.