South Dakota Honors 11 Coaches for Decades of Student Success

South Dakota's high school sports community is getting national recognition for something truly special: coaches who've spent entire careers investing in young people.

Eleven coaches and athletic directors from across the state will receive honors at the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Convention in Coralville, Iowa, this June. Two will enter the NHSACA Hall of Fame, while nine others are finalists for national coach of the year awards.

The numbers tell an incredible story of dedication. Basketball coach Greg Raasch has spent 40 years on South Dakota sidelines, racking up 643 wins and guiding 13 teams to state tournaments. He's the third-winningest coach in state history and shows no signs of slowing down in his hometown of Castlewood.

Volleyball coach Deb King's teams at Harrisburg have won 561 matches against just 74 losses over three decades. Her Tigers claimed seven state titles and recently finished a streak where they didn't lose to another South Dakota team for nearly three years.

Then there's competitive cheer coach Lisa King at Sioux Valley, whose squads have won every single state championship since cheer became an official sport 19 years ago. That's 19 consecutive titles, a testament to consistent excellence and dedication.

The Ripple Effect

These coaches aren't just winning games. They're shaping thousands of young lives through discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Track coach Steve Jarovski has spent 28 years at Lincoln, leading teams to 13 state championships while teaching student athletes how to push past their limits.

Football coach Brent Fredenburg turned around Lincoln's program from a struggling 4-15 start to back-to-back state championships. His players learned that early setbacks don't define your future.

Athletic director Dick Weber served Flandreau Public Schools for 28 years, building systems that supported coaches like these across multiple sports and generations of students. His work created the foundation for countless young people to discover their potential through athletics.

The ceremony takes place June 30 at the Coralville Hotel and Conference Center, where these coaches will join the ranks of national excellence. Their combined 250-plus years of service represents more than statistics and trophies.

Every practice planned, every pep talk given, and every student encouraged adds up to communities strengthened and young people equipped for life's challenges beyond the playing field.