Renee and George at the award ceremony in Middleton on April 2.

Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association inducted checking services rep Renee Machado’s husband into its hall of fame. It’s a well-deserved honor for both of them.

George’s award.

Since 1977, George Machado has coached football at high schools in Illinois, Oklahoma, California, and Wisconsin, leading teams including Racine Horlick and Pius XI in Milwaukee, and coaching at Brookfield Central as well. He has been recognized with titles like Los Angeles Times Coach of the Year, and coached numerous All-State players, as well as former NFL safety Chris Maragos, who won Super Bowl rings with both the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I’ve always supported George in his coaching career — going to games, socializing with other coaches’ wives, working behind the scenes, and generally trying to make the demanding hours more manageable,” says Renee. “Even just listening and being an ’emotional oasis’ is an important part of it.”

Celebrating George’s induction with family and friends, including the couple’s children and eight grandchildren, was “magical,” she says, with lots of hugs, laughter, happy tears, and great memories.

“Watching my husband revisit his career as a coach was such a joy. He remembered each player’s jersey number — some as far back as 40 years — and had an intimate story about every person there,” Renee says. “I was honored to share the evening with him.”

She and George plan to extend the celebration with trips to the UW Badgers’ Camp Randall Stadium in Madison and the Packers’ Lambeau Field in Green Bay. “I could not be prouder of him,” she says.