Sports : 500 wins! Vikings sweep two double-headers to earn milestone for Coach Struve

After losing a one-point game at home against South Tama to start the 2013 season, the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings won their next four, giving Coach Jim Struve his 500th win as a high school coach.

The Vikings swept East Marshall at Le Grand on Wednesday, then defeated Independence twice on Thursday. The first honor bestowed upon Coach by his players was an informal, spontaneous one: An ice shower from the team's cooler.

More official, formal recognition of the milestone is planned for the Vikings' home game this Thursday.

The Vikings earned the 500th win for their coach by winning those four games by a combined score of 52-11. Josh Ferguson has already hit three homers, along with three doubles and 10 total hits, in the first five games of the season. Drew Pearson leads the Vikes with 12 total hits in five games.

VIking pitchers are also doing well. See complete stats HERE.

22-year career

Struve's V-S coaching career began in 1987. After being an assistant for five years, Struve became head baseball coach in 1992. His career has included a State Championship and playes who went on to either get drafted by MLB teams or coach at the college level.
Coach Struve, who is also the VSHS Activities/Athletics Director, said he's been fortunate to work with so many great people over the years.

"Over the past 22 years, I feel very blessed to have had so many players and coaches who have been so dedicated and committed to our Viking Baseball program to achieve this prestigious milestone." he said. "I am extremely proud of the fact that several former players have returned as my assistant coaches and I owe them all a tremendous amount of gratitude for sharing my passion for making Viking Baseball special."

Other area coaches listed

Center Point-Urbana coach Randy Chamberlin has 478 wins, according to the Iowa Baseball Coaches Association. And Benton Community Coach Howard Conrad retired with 475 wins.

See the complete list at the IBCA page HERE.