Apr 8

Written by: ngreditor
4/8/2008 7:43 PM 

Bonnie Wallin-Kuntz, Colorado Coach of the Year (Photo courtesy of Colorado Athletic Directors Association)

Bonnie Wallin-Kuntz named Coach of the Year

Portions of this article appeared in the Otis [Colorado] Telegram

Teacher, Coach, and Athletic Director, Bonnie Wallin-Kuntz from Otis High School was named the 2008 CCGS Helen McCall Coach of the Year at a special banquet and reception held Saturday, March 29, 2008, at the Double Tree Hotel in Denver.

Wallin-Kuntz was recognized as the sole recipient of the 2008 CCGS Helen McCall Coach of the Year Award.

Coach Wallin-Kuntz grew up in Nebraska playing volleyball, basketball, and softball in high school (Newman Grove High School) and for Mid Plains Community College in North Platte before graduating from Kearney State College in 1987.

With a Bachelor’s degree in history and physical education, Wallin-Kuntz landed her first teaching and coaching job in that same year in Colorado at Otis Middle and High School.

Coach Wallin-Kuntz has spent her entire career in Otis and is the foundation of girls’ sports in the community. She has coached volleyball (21 years), girls (5 years) and boys (1 year) basketball, girls and boys track (10 years), is the Athletic Director, and in her spare time for the past 21 years, has coached middle school volleyball, basketball, and track!

When students need a role model in Otis, girls and boys easily gravitate to Mrs. Wallin-Kuntz. She is a dedicated leader working hard to provide the best opportunities for students in her community.

Coach Wallin-Kuntz’s volleyball teams have won two state championships (’98 and ’02). Many of her players have earned All-State recognition.

Wallin-Kuntz received the Rocky Mountain News 1A Denver Post 1A Coach of the Year, the 1A Denver Post coach of the Year, and the CHSCA Coach of the Year in 2002. In 2003, Bonnie Wallin-Knutz was awarded the Class 1A Colorado Athletic Director of the Year from CADA. Not bad for also being a full time history and physical education teacher, mother of three, and wife!

As the girls’ basketball coach from 1987-1992, Wallin-Kuntz developed a strong program taking the girls to their first state tournament in 1992. She does acknowledge that coaching the boys’ basketball team her first year was quite a challenge and a highlight of her coaching career.

Wallin-Kuntz knows the importance of committing yourself to your career and your community. She has been involved with the Colorado High School Activities Association serving on the Volleyball Committee for two terms, the CHSAA Officials Fees Committee, and served on the CHSAA Board of Control as a Representative for the YW-KC League. She serves annually on the CCGS All-State Volleyball Selection Committee.

Bonnie Wallin-Kuntz truly holds the personification of Helen McCall’s hard work and determination to make Colorado high school athletics a great place for girls to compete and be recognized for their achievements.

Congratulations to Coach Wallin-Kuntz for receiving the 2008 CCGS Helen McCall Coach of the Year Award.

Editor’s note: Bonnie Wallin-Kuntz is the daughter of Merlin and LaVede Wallin of Newman Grove.