2016 Inductee
The passion and persistence displayed by Randy Hinkel came to define the town and school where he coached.
Randy Hinkel, the driving force behind Madrid’s dominance in football and track for nearly three decades, passed away unexpectedly, just less than a year ago at the age of 58.
He was the Head Coach of 5 state track and field championship teams, 4 state runner up teams and 27 event state champions in his 25 years as Madrid’s head coach.
Randy also led the Madrid Tigers football team to a record of 264-58 over 29 seasons. He averaged 9 wins per year, took the Tigers to the postseason 25 times, was a state runner-up 7 times and won it all in 1991. His overall coaching record was 314-80.
Randy Hinkel attended West Harrison High School and Morningside College before starting his coaching career at Lohrville High School in 1980.
This quote came from fellow IATC Hall of Fame member, Bud Legg, “Randy Hinkel was always a gentleman on the field, just a really great person. He’s going to be missed from the high school scene.” Madrid Superintendent Brian Horn said, “He represented everything Madrid. His work ethic. His care. His commitment to kids, and his commitment to excellence.” “He was the entire package.”
I had the opportunity to visit with Madrid six time state track and field champion Nick Efkamp, who said, “I remember my senior year at state track I was so nervous for the 400 hurdles because it was my last time running them in the orange and black, and I wanted to go out with a bang. As I was getting up from the bleachers, Randy said, “Nick, go out and attack the first hurdle and have some fun.” He didn’t just want us to think about winning or placing; he truly wanted to see us having fun and representing Madrid like respectable young men. I know that most people don’t know this, but he put as much effort into track as he did football. He wanted us to be successful in everything we did, and he wanted us to have confidence in ourselves to know that no matter the situation, we could pull through because we believed in ourselves. At times he loved being the underdog; there were also times when he loved being Goliath”.
“He never cared about how big the school was we were competing against. He came up with a team that he believed was going to win the meet”.
And, oh by the way, Nick won. Randy Hinkel is survived by his children: Brock and Chelsea and their mother Lisa.