Jerry Bethke
Coach

            Jerry Bethke joined the Mukwonago High School staff in 1953 as a science and math teacher.  By virtue of playing basketball in high school and college, he became assistant basketball coach, a post he held from 1953 to 1960, becoming varsity coach in 1960, a post he held for two years.  From 1954 to 1959, Jerry also served as junior varsity football coach.

             Jerry started a boy’s golf team with largely beginning golfers, scheduling their competitions from 1957 to the early 1970’s.

             While juggling his class schedule and his coaching jobs, Jerry completed his masters in guidance from the University of Wisconsin; received four summer science grants from the National Science foundation where he earned enough advanced science credits to earn a Masters in Science.  He also co-taught a PSSC science class at UW-Whitewater to high school teachers in the evenings.

             Jerry took a break in coaching in the 1970’s to assist in building the new high school and in helping with modular scheduling.

             In a career changing move, Jerry began coaching girl’s JV basketball with head coach Bob Douglas from 1981 to 1987.  The loyalty and emotional honesty of the girls made the sport a joy. 

             When the tennis team lost its coach in 1981 Jerry filled in and stayed in that position from 1981 until his retirement in 1993.  The support he received from parents and students was overwhelming.

             When Jerry’s wife asked him why he coached along with his class responsibilities, he said that the one-on-one relationships with the athletes provided friendships not found in the classroom.

             Jerry’s loyalty to Mukwonago High School for 40 years and to its students was a requirement.  His philosophy that athletics should be fun was foremost in his thinking.

2010 INDUCTEE
MUKWONAGO HIGH SCHOOL
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
SEPTEMBER, 2010