Sheldon 2001
Jim De Jong was born in Humboldt, South Dakota, and graduated from Chancellor High School in 1955. During his high school career he participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He earned All-Conference honors in basketball. He describes himself as an average runner who just loved to participate. After graduation Jim attended Sioux Falls College. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Education in 1961. Jim started his career at Jefferson, South Dakota where he coached all sports. His boys track team won the 1968 Class B State Championship. He spent the next 5 years at East Monona High School in Moorhead, Iowa. He than moved to Sheldon High School in Sheldon, Iowa, where he served as Head Girls Softball and Girls Track Coach as well as Athletic Director until his retirement in 2000. Jim’s accomplishments as a coach are many. He has had numerous conference and district championship teams. His girls track team won the 1984 State Championship. He also coached several individual state champions including four event winner Tammy Warner in 1984. He started girls cross country in Sheldon and built two tracks during his career. Jim has been honored by several groups for his career achievements. These include being named Regional Coach of the Year three times and State Coach of the Year in 1984 by the IATC, Lakes Conference Athletic Director of the Year three times, NIAAA State Award of Merit 1998, and induction into the IHSADA Hall of Fame in 2001. Jim has served the Iowa Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches for twenty-two years as a regional representative and as the past Chairman of the Hall of Fame committee for 18 years. It is through his leadership that the Hall of Fame holds such a high and distinguish place in our state. It was under his guidance that we were able to compile the list of honorees and have the banquet we enjoy today. Jim told me when he asked if I would be interested in taking over as chairman, that he did so with the understanding that it would only be for a few years. He has been an inspiration to all of us on this committee and he has served as mentor to me these past three years. Jim’s service to our organization and to track and field in general is unparalleled. He has served very well and continues to do so both as a regional representative and as a member of the Hall of Fame committee. Jim has given of his time in other areas as well. He served as the State Secretary for the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association for 8 years. He is active in his community as well as with Sheldon High School even after retiring. He has serveas a mentor to others on how things should be done with dignity and grace. Mr. Jim De Jong inductee to the Iowa Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame 2001.