Gary Swenson, Radcliffe native and graduate, has spent 48 years coaching high school football, including the last 46 seasons as head coach. His stops have included Manning, West Marshall, Spencer, and currently Valley, West Des Moines.
Swenson has an overall record of 392-120 and taken his teams to the playoffs for the last 36 consecutive seasons. That run includes 21 semifinals and now 11 championship games, with titles in 1994, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2011.
Swenson has served as a master trainer in USA Football’s Heads-Up program, and coached for USA Football’s National Team at the 2009 Junior World Tournament (U19) and 2014 International Bowl (U17).
He and his wife DeAnn have three children – Jeff, Shannan, and Greg – and eight grandchildren.
Coach Walt Fiegel was the long time football coach at East high School in Sioux City, Iowa. During his tenure at Sioux City, he served as head sophomore coach and head varsity coach three different times. His Black Raider team won the Class 4A State Title in 1984.
Coach Walt Fiegel served as the Executive Secretary of the Iowa Football Coaches Association from 1977-1994, 17 years!
This award recognizes a person who embodies the high character, integrity, concern for kids, and service to the profession that were evident during Coach Fiegel’s career.