Longtime Hillcrest Academy and Iowa Mennonite School head boys basketball coach Dwight Gingerich got the call to the Hall last weekend. Gingerich, who just finished his 41st season at the helm in Kalona, was recognized Friday night during this year’s state championship games as a member of the Iowa High School Athletic Association 2024 Basketball Hall of Fame Class.
Gingerich has compiled a record of 738-235 during his time in charge of the maroon and black. That ties him with Cascade Hall of Fame Coach Al Marshall for fifth on the all-time Iowa high school boys basketball coach wins list. He has the second most wins of any active coach, trailing only Mitch Osborn of Harlan with 761. Retired coaches ahead of Gingerich include Dan Beck with 752, Fred Parsons with 784 and all-time leader Bob Hilmer with 917. Gingerich has the most wins in state history for a coach who has spent all of his tenure at one school. Of the six coaches in the 700-win club, Gingerich has gotten there in the second fewest number of years on the sidelines, and second fewest total games, trailing only Osborn. He holds a 75.8% winning percentage, second highest of the members of the 700 club.
His teams have averaged 18 wins per season. Only four times have his teams finished under .500, none since 1996, a string of 28 consecutive winning records. His squads have won at least 15 games in a season 30 times, and at least 20 games 20 times. Gingerich has led the Ravens to 12 state tournaments, finishing runner-up in Des Moines four times and winning the 1992 Class 1A State Championship. In 2015, he was honored by the IAHSAA for his 600th win during the boys State Tournament. Gingerich is a 1976 Iowa Mennonite School alum.
He spoke this week on the KCII Radio Coaches Corner about what the recognition means to him. “This award is really the reflection of the efforts of so many people. So many of the great players that we’ve had. Great kids. Really developing their game. Things got started that way, the ones that built the foundation. Through the years, I think of area dads coaching kids in youth ball for Mid-Prairie, IMS and Hillcrest. It takes people working together and preparing those kids. This has been a process over many years. It takes many people, caring, a lot. The assistant coaches that I have had over the years. Ron Swartzendruber, Aaron Gingerich, now Stephen Bender and Chris Nachtigall, both with head coaching experience. I’ve just been really blessed with the help that I’ve had along the way. The administrator support going back to when I was hired by Norm Yoder, then with Wilbur Yoder. As a young coach, I made more than my fair share of mistakes but the administrators were always so helpful. My family’s support has been critical. My wife Mo has been great. The kids have been great. I’m gone a lot. I was fortunate enough to have a couple of sons that played, so that was a great way to spend time with them. I’ve been blessed. It’s truly an honor that involves a ton of people. I’m really grateful for that and the opportunity to serve Hillcrest in this way!”
Joining Gingerich in the Hall of Fame Class of 2024 are former Washington Demon head coach Bryce Smeins, players Brad Barron of Cedar Falls, Kent McCausland of Waterloo West, Kirk Speraw of Sioux City North, Kurt Spomer of Tri-Center and official Rich Collison.