School officials at Roland-Story say hall of fame football coach Kerry Van Winkle has died. He was 83.Van Winkle spent six seasons at Kanawha High School (1968-1973) in Hancock County, then the next 40 at Roland Story, where he had a 243-131 record and won two state championships. He led his teams to the playoffs 17 times and won 38 games in a row from 1979 to 1982.He's a member of the Iowa Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and his 275 total victories rank 20th all-time in Iowa.In a Facebook post from the district's athletics page, he's described as the heartbeat of Roland-Story football."His influence went far beyond wins and titles," the post said. "His dedication, discipline, and belief in his players shaped generations of young men, instilling in them the values of teamwork, resilience, and character." In 2020, Roland-Story officials named its football field after Van Winkle. At the same time, they also named the high school track after longtime coach and athletics director Dallas Kray."Coach Van Winkle's passing leaves a profound void, but his spirit endures in every Norsemen game played, every student who walks onto the field he helped define, and every life he touched," the Facebook post continued. "His story is woven into the fabric of Roland-Story, a reminder that true greatness is measured not only in victories, but in the lasting impact one leaves behind."
STORY CITY, Iowa — School officials at Roland-Story say hall of fame football coach Kerry Van Winkle has died. He was 83.
Van Winkle spent six seasons at Kanawha High School (1968-1973) in Hancock County, then the next 40 at Roland Story, where he had a 243-131 record and won two state championships. He led his teams to the playoffs 17 times and won 38 games in a row from 1979 to 1982.
He's a member of the Iowa Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and his 275 total victories rank 20th all-time in Iowa.
, he's described as the heartbeat of Roland-Story football.
"His influence went far beyond wins and titles," the post said. "His dedication, discipline, and belief in his players shaped generations of young men, instilling in them the values of teamwork, resilience, and character."
In 2020, Roland-Story officials named its football field after Van Winkle. At the same time, they also named the high school track after longtime coach and athletics director Dallas Kray.
"Coach Van Winkle's passing leaves a profound void, but his spirit endures in every Norsemen game played, every student who walks onto the field he helped define, and every life he touched," the Facebook post continued. "His story is woven into the fabric of Roland-Story, a reminder that true greatness is measured not only in victories, but in the lasting impact one leaves behind."
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