Suffolk’s Kenneth Banks II was not trying to get any kind of special accolade. He was just doing what he enjoys, coaching Suffolk’s youth as a volunteer for Suffolk Parks and Recreation.

But he did it so well, it led to his receiving recognition from the National Youth Sports Coaches Association.

The National Alliance for Youth Sports annually honors an outstanding volunteer coach as the NYSCA Coach of the Year, and for 2015, that award went to Banks.

“It was amazing, honestly,” he said. “I felt proud, I felt honored. I never thought I’d receive something like that because I don’t coach for awards, I coach for kids.”

As stated at www.NAYS.org, Coach of the Year nominations are reviewed for how well a nominee exemplifies the NYSCA Coaches’ Code of Ethics.

The code includes “placing the emotional and physical wellbeing of players ahead of any personal desires to win, treating each player as an individual, being an enthusiastic team leader, a positive role model and having a thorough knowledge of the techniques and rules for the sport they are coaching, among many other important aspects.”

Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department recreation manager Michael Frickanisce noted that the city’s large athletics program, particularly in the winter and spring, relies heavily upon volunteers.

“Volunteer coaches like Kenny Banks are kind of like the backbone of the whole volunteer program,” he said.

Frickanisce noted that Banks stands out among a small group of particularly dedicated volunteer coaches.

“He’s been with us for a number of years now, he volunteers in multiple sports, the kids love him, he communicates with us on a regular basis,” Frickanisce said. “It’s almost like he’s part of the department. He’s very helpful to us. He always asks us what we need to make the program better.”

With Suffolk Parks and Recreation, Banks has coached baseball, indoor and outdoor soccer and basketball.

He also coaches Pop Warner football.

Banks, 30, recalled a coach that was particularly influential and set the example that he is following today. It was Roland Wilson, the setting was Birdsong Recreation Center and Banks was around the age of 9.

“I always wanted to coach,” Banks said, adding he just did not know when he would.

When his oldest son, Kenneth Banks III, wanted to try sports, that became the time.

As for what he enjoys most about coaching, Kenneth Banks II pointed to the challenge.

“I enjoy getting the group of kids together and developing something special,” he said.