LA CROSSE - The state track meet was an emotional time for Monroe pole vaulting coach Richard Glendenning, who will resign from coaching after nearly a half-century as a fixture with the Monroe track program.
Glendenning has coached the Monroe track program for 48 years. Under his tutelage, Monroe alumnus Jeffery Hill was able to set a school record in the pole vault (14 feet, 4 inches) and junior Tre Voegeli set a girls school record in the pole vault this year (11-1). He served as the Monroe boys track coach for 24 years and was the girls head coach for two years, but his signature has been coaching the pole vault.
"Anyone in the state who is involved in the pole vault knows coach Glendenning," Monroe boys track coach Curt Miller said. "He has been an integral part to Monroe track and field for almost a half century. That's really special."
Glendenning was inducted into the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2011. Glendenning is one of five Monroe track athletes and coaches in the Hall of Fame. The others are Kelly Lillge (formerly Miller), Mark Winzenried, Mike Deignan and Stanley Barr.
He was the head coach for three conference championship teams and he has been a part of 16 conference titles as an assistant. There have been 11 state champions in his coaching tenure and the Cheesemakers have set eight state records.
"He will not disappear," Miller said. "He will be welcome back any time he wants. The thing that struck me when I started nine years ago is he really cared about kids and doing what is best for kids. He was not afraid to get to know them and let them get to know him. He has a special ability to relate to kids."
Glendenning has coached the Monroe track program for 48 years. Under his tutelage, Monroe alumnus Jeffery Hill was able to set a school record in the pole vault (14 feet, 4 inches) and junior Tre Voegeli set a girls school record in the pole vault this year (11-1). He served as the Monroe boys track coach for 24 years and was the girls head coach for two years, but his signature has been coaching the pole vault.
"Anyone in the state who is involved in the pole vault knows coach Glendenning," Monroe boys track coach Curt Miller said. "He has been an integral part to Monroe track and field for almost a half century. That's really special."
Glendenning was inducted into the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2011. Glendenning is one of five Monroe track athletes and coaches in the Hall of Fame. The others are Kelly Lillge (formerly Miller), Mark Winzenried, Mike Deignan and Stanley Barr.
He was the head coach for three conference championship teams and he has been a part of 16 conference titles as an assistant. There have been 11 state champions in his coaching tenure and the Cheesemakers have set eight state records.
"He will not disappear," Miller said. "He will be welcome back any time he wants. The thing that struck me when I started nine years ago is he really cared about kids and doing what is best for kids. He was not afraid to get to know them and let them get to know him. He has a special ability to relate to kids."
