The Scoreboard
Sports News From a Student-Athlete
Written by Sarah Ramsden
Even in these challenging times, athletics will continue on. The Scoreboard will provide you with more information about what is going inside athletics.
Experienced Coaches Share Their Unique Perspectives on Beloit Athletics
February 15, 2021
A previous Scoreboard article introduced the coaches who are new to BMHS this year. This installment looks at nine coaches that have stayed here for over 10 years; some of whom have spent three decades devoted to helping Beloit Memorial student-athletes. These coaches share their unique perspectives on everything from why they decided to coach to their experiences with trends in student involvement.
Many of the coaches started out as athletes in school. They brought their love of sports into coaching.
Joe Oberneder has coached football and wrestling for 28 years. He decided to become a coach based on his experiences as a kid.
“I was determined to play tackle football in 5th grade despite being the smallest kid,” Oberneder remarked. “I loved competing and proving to others that if you outhustle and outwork people you can have success and overcome any weakness you think you might have!”
Brian Denu, soccer coach for over 25 years, had a similar story.
“Sports have always been a big part of my life. I grew up playing three sports in high school and loved every minute of it. I was fortunate to have a lot of really positive coaches and teachers in my life who were influential for me in making the decision to follow that path myself,” Denu said.
Coach Vogel
Coach Oberneder
Coach DeKok
Although sports is their love, it can be challenging. “Coaching is so fun, but can also be quite stressful; it requires a lot of personal time and energy,” said Kim Gamble, volleyball coach for 13 years.
Even so, the athletes that they work with keep their coaches coming back year after year.
Tod Clarey, who has coached various sports in the past 31 years, including golf for the past 23 years, emphasized the importance of his relationships with his players.
“What motivates me to continue coaching at BMHS is the opportunity to work with the student/athletes,” Clarey said. “I have been fortunate to coach many outstanding players, and more importantly outstanding young people. It’s refreshing to get to know my players outside of the classroom.”
“The volleyball girls make it worth it!” Gamble adds. “Seeing the girls every week is the highlight of my week!”
Andre Dekok has 33 years of experience coaching high school volleyball, swimming, and tennis, as well as middle school swimming. He talks about several great memories he has of coaching, including his boys volleyball team winning conference in 2011-12.
“Going undefeated that season in conference and then getting my head shaved in a mohawk after defeating Middleton, at home, during homecoming week in front of the crowd after the game was the best!!” Dekok recalls.
Others said that their best memories were their relationships with athletes.
“Seeing the players grow and develop stronger skills throughout the season is always fun to watch,” said Brooke Ruston, freshman volleyball and softball coach for 13 years.
According to various coaches, community and student involvement has been trending upward in swimming, volleyball and soccer, but downward in football and wrestling.
Coach Gamble
Coach Denu
Coach Bray
Richard Vogel, swim coach for 35 years, commented that building a strong program for younger swimmers was key to the success of their high school program.
“We had built a total program from swimming lessons, Middle School, USA Swim Team through high school. We went from maybe 30 kids swimming in 2000, to over 300 in recent years,” Vogel said.
Oberneder added that he had seen a decline in involvement in football and wrestling for many reasons.
“When we were really good in football in the 90's we had two and three sport athletes that also made our wrestling, hockey, baseball, and basketball programs successful. They had a love and respect for each other that I feel we have lost. We as coaches saw parents in the stands cheering for ALL Purple Knight athletes,” he said.
Oberneder continued with his suggestions to increase involvement based on what he had seen in the past. “We can improve student participation when we get the whole community to invest together in developing the whole child, not just the athletic side.”
Finally, most coaches emphasized the importance of sports in student’s lives.
“Swimming is a lifelong sport. It's something that one can do at all ages. I see it as an essential life skill – learning to be safe in and around water is important for all to know,” said Kimberly Waite, swim coach for 19 years.
“Playing any sport can have several positive benefits. Players are not only getting exercise which reduces stress and improves mental health, but they are practicing teamwork and sportsmanship while building self confidence and stamina,” Ruston said.
“I believe that coaching in Beloit has made my experience even better because of all the outstanding student-athletes and the families that I have been able to work with here,” Denu concluded.
Contact Us
Email: jbeard@sdb.k12.wi.us
Website: beloitknightsathletics.com
Location: 1225 4th Street, Beloit, WI, USA
Phone: 608.361.3022
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Twitter: @BeloitAthletics