Bill Dietrich, who led the Valders Cross Country Program from 2000 to 2022, will be one of seven coaches and athletes who will be inducted into the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame Friday night at Embassy Suites in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
Dietrich tells Seehafernews.com that this is honor was bestowed upon him a few years ago.
“They wanted to induct me a couple of years ago, but I told them to hold off a while as I felt there were more deserving candidates to be inducted. Then I found out that I am now a member of the Hall of Fame, too. I’m truly blessed.”
Dietrich was head coach of the boys from 2000 to 2009, then ran both the boys’ and girls’ programs from 2010 to his retirement in 2022. He says he just knew after the 2022 season that it was the right time to leave.
” I’m living in Fond Du Lac now. I’ve got six grandkids involved in sports and other things I want to see. I don’t want to seem selfish, but I’m 72 now and was 70 when I retired.”
Dietrich adds, “You start thinking it’s time to slow down, enjoy life, and give the coaching reins over to someone else.”
The Vikings won four boys’ state championships under Dietrich, including three straight Division Two titles from 2017 through 19.
Valders also won the Division Three Boys Title in 2021, a boys D-2 runner-up finish in 2016, and a D-3 girls silver ball in 2021. Dietrich says he had a simple philosophy when it came to coaching kids.
“First, have fun. Second, teach them something about running, and finally, do your best in that order. I’ve spoken to other coaches who are struggling to think about giving it up. I told them no, to have fun, and that the rest would fall into place if they did that. Let the chips fall where they may.”
Ultimately, Dietrich says it has always been about the kids.
“You did something you set out to accomplish, which made them all winners. Some may have more trophies and accolades bestowed upon them, but they gave it their all to the best of their (ones) ability.”
The Vikings head coach had one demand from the WCCCA.
”I’ll only accept my plaque if you include all my assistant coaches on it.”
They did, and he’ll be there to accept his award Friday night.
