Traveling plaque will now be awarded for 4x4 in honor of coach Jerry Becker

During his long and illustrious coaching career at Eagle Grove, former head coach Jerry Becker has received recognition for state championship teams and coach of the year honors. Now he will be honored again at each year’s Umstead Relays, starting this year, with a traveling plaque for the winning 4x4 relay team going to each class school.

“I decided that we needed a way to honor coach Becker for all the years he has given to teaching and coaching in Eagle Grove,” said head coach Ben Demuth. “Our meets (cross country & track) are already named after important people from our past, so I did not want to change anything with that. I decided that we would name his favorite track event at our home meet in his honor. I talked with our AD Mr. Thacker about the possibility and he thought it was a great idea. We came up with the traveling plaque that each winning team (both classes) will receive and will keep until next year’s event.”

Becker had no idea until that night that this was planned. “I didn’t know why they were telling me I was needed at the starting line,” said the now assistant coach for the Eagles. “Then when I found out what was going on I was shocked and also very pleased and appreciative.”

For the full story, see this week's Eagle Grove Eagle. Subscribe by calling 1-800-558-1244 ext 122 or email Deb at circulation@midamericapub.com or by clicking here.