SACU and KENS 5 television honored 19 teachers in the 9th Annual ExCEL Awards banquet with Coach Al Marks as keynote speaker, introduced by Josh Davis, his former student and Olympic gold medal winner for swimming.

The banquet is held each year to say one more "thank you" to the best teachers in the San Antonio area, chosen by their districts to receive the ExCEL Award, recognizing excellence in public education. Throughout the school year, KENS 5 anchor Deborah Knapp and an SACU representative visit the schools in each of 19 districts to honor the teacher that district has chosen to be the very best. Each teacher receives a golden apple, made by the company that manufactures the Academy Awards statues, and a check for $1,000.

"Having Coach Marks and Josh Davis on the same podium underscores the message of the ExCEL program. We want to tell the community about the positive ways that educators are touching students' lives. This is happening in our public schools every day. The relationship between a coach and his former student is just one way to illustrate that bond. SACU is proud to be able to help bring focus to our teachers who mold the lives of our future leaders," Jeff Farver, SACU president and CEO, said.