Iowa Association of Track Coaches Hall of Fame

Randy broke the school record in the 100 meter dash….the first time he ran it!He placed in the Top 3 in the Drake Relays 100 meter final four times, winning it twice. He was a 7 time state champion; winning four 100 meter titles, two gold medals in the 200 and one in the 400….

Terry Thompson was born and raised in Humboldt, Iowa and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1978 where he earned varsity letters in football, basketball and track. He was on of the top sprinters in class 3A finishing 3rd and 5th in the 100m dash at the state meet and qualifying in the 100 at…

Brian competed at Manly High School. The High Jump was his specialty from the start. 1978 – High School Freshman – jumped 5′ 10″ 1979 – High School Sophomore – jumped 6′ 5″ – school record – qualified for the Drake Relays, but could not compete due to injuries. 1980 – High School Junior –…

Cross Country and Track and Field have played a significant role in Joe Toot’s life dating back to his years as a student athlete at Nevada High School. Joe was active in student government, cross country, basketball and track while a Nevada Cub, graduating in 1966. As a member of the track team, Joe was…

2021 IATO Hall of Fame There is no written rule that says you had to have been a good athlete to become a good official. Don’t get me wrong, having been an athlete in the sport in which you are officiating will be a benefit in understanding some of the nuances of that sport, but…

Chuck Van Hecke, was born and raised in Beresford, SD. During his high school career he participated in football, basketball, and baseball. He received Honorable Mention Allstate in football, All Conference in basketball, and was an All-District Catcher in baseball. After graduation from high school, Chuck attended the University of South Dakota receiving his Bachelor…

Rock Valley HS/Iowa State 2021 Hall of Fame Oh, to be a state or Drake Relays champion, or to be named All State or Athlete of the Year or even a college All American.  These are, seemingly, among every young Iowa athlete’s dreams. In the late 1980’s, Rock Valley High School in Rock Valley, Iowa…

Bob VanderLinden was born in Eddyville, Iowa, and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1947. During his high school career he participated in football, basketball, and track. He earned All-Conference and All-State honors in football. After graduation Bob attended Central College receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1951. He was an All-Conference performer in…

Paullete (Mitchell) Villereal was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She was the youngest of eight children of Henry and Georgia Mitchell. She attended school in the Council Bluff graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1992. Paulette had an outstanding high school career. She was undefeated in the shot put during the outdoor season her…

2023 Inductee Gerald “Diz” Vincent started his high school career in Council Bluffs before moving to Ottumwa as a sophomore.  Diz was not only Iowa’s first High School individual boys state Cross Country Champion, he was also our first 2X champion: winning the 1.75 mile race in 1922 in 10:12 and 100 years ago, in…

He was known primarily as a basketball player during his days at Highmore High School and Southern State College in his native state of South Dakota. While in Grad school at South Dakota State, he was on the Jack rabbits track and cross country coaching staff. After SDSU he coached track and cross country at…

Dick Wagner has been associated with athletics for a long time. Dick has officiated softball, boys and girls basketball as well as track and cross country. He has started state track meets and umpired state championship games. A past president of the Iowa Baseball Coaches Association, served as a clinician at the IGHSAU rules meetings…

Chris was born on August 1, 1965, in Davenport, Iowa. He attended Davenport Central High School graduating in 1984. He participated in basketball and track & field while in high school. Chris’s high school career was outstanding and included the following accomplishments. He was a three time Long Jump Champion setting a state record for…

Jerry Walker began officiating track and field at the University of Iowa by working the Big 10 Indoor at the request of Coach Cretzmeyer. He was assigned umpiring duty and called a violation on an outstanding runner (eventually an Olympian) from Illinois! The young man promised never to return to Iowa City again, and Jerry…

John represents Track and Field on a superior level, both as a coach and active participant. In High School at Centerville from 1952 to 1956. State Champ in the Long Jump – both indoors and outdoors Drake Relays Long Jump Champion Won or placed in twelve event at the State indoor or outdoor meets. At…

Dick was born on October 23, 1950, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. He attended Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, graduating in 1969, participating in football, wrestling, and golf while in high school. He graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with a Bachelors Degree in Biology and Physical Education in 1973 participating in football, track…

Dick was born on October 23, 1950, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. He attended Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, graduating in 1969, participating in football, wrestling, and golf while in high school. He graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with a Bachelors Degree in Biology and Physical Education in 1973 participating in football, track…

Cornie Wassink was raised near Sioux Center, Iowa and graduated from Sioux Center High School in 1969. While in high school, he was active in football, baseball, basketball, and track, as well as 4-H and FFA. Cornie graduated from Northwestern College, lettering in football, wrestling, and track. He was an All-American Offensive tackle in 1972….

John was one of sixteen members of the Spirit Lake High School graduating class of 1914. His high school annual called him the top athlete in the high school during his senior school year, 1913-1914. He took part in football, basketball and track. He later would become the most successful coach in the 20th century…

Glenn Wehrkamp was born on a farm in Page County, Iowa. He went to Linn Point country school through 8th grade and attended Clarinda High School, from 1941-1945, where he lettered in basketball, track and baseball. He attended Clarinda Junior College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwest Missouri State College where…

L. D. Weldon was the multi-events coach of coaches. Weldon’s teams won 11 conference titles, either Heart of America or Missouri Athletic Union, and did well in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics meets. His speciality, though, was shaping do-everything athletes into champions. He began his track career winning 12 college letters in various sports, some…

Dr. Ken Weller has a resume unmatched by many.Ken is a 1948 graduate of Hope College in Holland, Michigan. While there he competed in football and track and field. He later became a faculty member at Hope and was a member of the football coaching staff, coaching among others, Ron Schipper, who later became a…

Attended High School in Tipton, Iowa. He attended Northeast Missouri State University and was named Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities All-American Track & Field Teams twice. He was also a three time All-American Cross Country runner. Ron compiled 77 wins in Boy’s Cross Country, 120 wins in Girls’ Cross Country, and 93 wins…

Denny White was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, on November 5, 1941. He was raised in Marshalltown and graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1959 and from the University of Northern Iowa in 1963 with a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Science. He began his career at New Providence High School before…

Harold Wilkinson was born on a farm near Mound City, Missouri in 1937. He grew up on various farms in the community and graduated in 1955. After high school he attended the University of Missouri for one year and then transferred to Northwest Missouri State University, now Truman State University, jn Maryville, Missouri. Harold lettered…

Harold “Wilkie” Wilkinson came to Cedar Rapids Washington High School in1960 as the Head Track & Field and Cross Country coach. He taught and coached at Marengo from 1939 to 1942, the US Marines 1942-1946, and then back to Marengo 1946 to 1960. Harold’s personality, dedication and enthusiasm brought great success to the Warrior track…

Began coaching and teaching in Harlan, Iowa. After four years, Bud moved to Iowa City where he was a Social Studies Teacher, Administrative Assistant, Media Coordinator, Counselor and coach at the Junior High level. He served as Dean od Students and the Director of Activities at City High from 1983 until his r etirement in…

Eric Wilson attended Iowa City City High. In 1919, he was the 220 yard and Long Jump State Champion. He attended Iowa University where he ran on the mile relay team which set an American intercollegiate record. He won the NCAA and Big Ten titles in the 220 yard dash in 1921 and 1923. In…

IATC HoF Inductee & 2023 IATO Inductee Randy Wilson’s Hall of Fame career has come full circle and then some. He was born and raised in Knoxville, Iowa where he was a five-time state champion, winning the State Mile Team Race twice along with wins in Cross Country, the Mile on the track and the…

2021 IATO Hall of Fame Having connections and networking has proven to be a successful way to get somewhere in life. Having connections, networking and being darn good at what you do, will not only get you somewhere, that somewhere, just might be at a very elite level. At the urging of his high school…

Bill is a 1955 Graduate of Mason City High School. “Heed the advice of your parents, teachers and coaches!” Former Mohawk and Abilene Christian University sprinter Bill Woodhouse was inducted into the Penn Relays Hall of Fame during the 110 running of the Penn Relay Carnival at the University of Pennsylvania. The Outstanding Collegiate performer…

Inducted into the IATC Hall of Fame in 2002. Joey was born in Iowa City on May 22, 1973. He was raised in Iowa City. He attended City High School in Iowa City. Joey enjoyed a very successful high school career in Track and Field. He was a member of many of Coach John Raffensperger’s…

As a student athlete at Wayne State Jim was influenced by a NW Iowa legend George Hicks who started many of the meets Jim participated in. In the 1950’s Jim coached and told me that track budgets were thin in those days and the coaches would often start the meets. That’s how Jim got his…