Alan Andrus is an icon to Normangee High School. Dedicated to his community, he takes great pride in being the assistant principal and coaching the Panther's basketball team.

"God has blessed me so much in the last four years just to send me here to Normangee," said Alan Andrus, Normangee High School Honoree.

Last month, Andrus was pinned up against a guard rail when he was hit by a pick-up truck while helping another driver that slid off the road, It was touch and go, but the Normangee family had faith that Andrus would pull through.

"I knew he was going to be alright, as long as they said he was still breathing, I knew he was going to be alright. Ain't nothing going to get him down," said Joe Jones, Andrus' former student.

While Andrus is recovering, medical expenses are piling up. The Normangee community banned together to help raise funds, with a bar-b-que and auction.

Andrus led Normangee to Victory at the 2004 basketball state championship. But his students say his inspiration is the biggest trophy they could have ever received.

"He just came in and gave us a little more confidence and with him as the head coach, we made it," said Jones.

"God has really blessed me through this whole ordeal and shown me the important things in life like the community here," said Andrus.

Soon this hometown hero will be back to work full-time, something he is more than ready for.