Wendy DeVorak Kohler reached a memorable coaching milestone this winter with her 400th career victory at Alexandria High School, a highwater mark well beyond the grasp of all but a few select coaches.
It’s unlikely Kohler even noticed.
Her pedal-to-the-medal approach doesn’t leave much time for self-appreciation. After all, there’s always another game, another challenge on the horizon, more work to be done.
The onetime Dragon has built a dynasty of sorts during 25 seasons as head girls’ basketball coach at Alexandria, a portfolio that includes seven Central Lakes Conference titles, six trips to the Minnesota State High School Championships and six Coach of the Year certificates. Her latest edition, 20-5 overall and ranked fourth on the Minnesota State Class AA poll, is well poised to make another serious post-season run.
Kohler earned 12 prep letters at Bertha-Hewitt High School and was named to the All-Park Region Conference basketball team three times before signing on at Minnesota State Moorhead. She was a three-year letterwinner at MSUM and made a substantial contribution to the Dragons’ first Northern Sun Conference championship in 1981-82.
Those were the days, and they still remain a great wellspring of radiant memories.
“I didn’t start until my junior year and wasn't used to that at all,” Kohler said. “It was hard, but it made me a much tougher competitor. I had a super experience with the Dragons. I learned a lot about a good work ethic, staying focused on your dreams and not becoming discouraged when things don't go exactly your way.”
“Winning the conference (title) and going to the national tournament (NAIA) was a highlight for sure. All of the friendships and fun times with everyone were special. We all supported each other in our activities and enjoyed the team atmosphere at MSU.”
A 1983 graduate with a Physical Education major, Kohler realized early on teaching and coaching were her true calling. “I knew in seventh grade I wanted to become a teacher and basketball coach. I was so inspired by my PE teacher, Linda Kalland. I loved her energy, enthusiasm and intensity in the classroom and the court.”
After leaving MSU Moorhead, she didn’t have to wait long for a chance.
“I started teaching the summer after I graduated and was hired (at Alexandria) three days before school started. It was only 40 per cent at first, but I was full-time after Christmas. (Former Dragon basketball student- manager) Dave Strand, a principal at Lincoln Elementary, was my supervising teacher during student teaching and asked me to interview. I did and got the job.”
Kohler may have been young, but she had no time for self-doubt.
“I remember being nervous and thinking, ‘What if they know more than I do,’ after all, I was 21 and they were like 14 through 18. Then I thought, of course, I know more; I can do this!"
She quickly transformed the Cards from pretenders to contenders. She piloted the Cardinals to the 1997 Minnesota State Class AA Championship and led the Cards to five other appearances, including a state consolation crown in 1988 and a trip to the Minnesota State quarterfinals in 1998.
Cardinal Activities Director Dave Hartmann is a card-carrying member of the Kohler fan club. A reliable frontline starter at the University of Minnesota, Morris, Hartmann knows more than a little about the game. His daughter, Lindsay, started for the Dragons while son Eric is a member of the Concordia College program.
“Wendy has coached cross country, volleyball, softball, and for twenty-five years has served as our head girls basketball coach,” said Hartmann. “She has been a role model and inspiration to many young women in Alexandria.”
“Wendy brings energy every day and constantly strives to introduce new motivational ideas,” Hartmann said. “She is very vocal and immerses herself into the game. Coach Kohler is involved in the program K-12 and has made a year round commitment to building a quality program. Wendy develops a special bond with players that becomes a life-long connection.”
“Our girl’s basketball program has been very successful with a state championship, several state tournament appearances and Central Lakes Conference championships,” added Hartmann. “With a limited number of head female coaches in the high school ranks, having a leader like Wendy is the exception. Young women have been inspired by Coach Kohler to become coaches and touch the lives of many.”
Experience has been a wonderful ally for Kohler, and she remains fascinated by the nuances of the game. “The strategy and Xs and Os have come easy for me. I love the challenges of diagnosing defenses, matchups and playing chess on the court with the opposing coaches!”
The good times in Alexandria have filled a huge mental scrapbook for Kohler.
“The best memories are of the athletes and coaching staffs; we have had such consistency over the years. We’ve been blessed with talented young athletes, and you can't win without talent in the CLC or section. The first trip to the State tourney in 1988 was really something to remember. There were only two classes then, and we won the consolation championship, but lost to Rosemount, the eventual state champs, in OT.”
“During the state championship run in 1997, we hit a dramatic three at the buzzer in overtime at Hibbing to send us to Williams Arena, and then we beat the undefeated Minneapolis North Polars in the State Championship. We’ve had a lot of tremendous competitors here in Alex, and all the other five state tournament trips were memorable as well.”
Don’t ask her about burnout; it’s not even a consideration.
“I think my expectations are still very high, and I put a lot of pressure on myself to produce positive results on the court, but I think I am more patient now as a coach, keeping things in a better perspective.”
Despite the taxing schedule, Kohler has no plans to walk away from the game in the near future.
“As long as it’s fun and the athletes keep working at their games to improve, (I’ll continued coaching). My daughter Kendall is in the fifth grade, and they have quite the little competitive team! They crack me up, such intensity. My assistant coach, ex-Dragon Julie Hatlestad, has a daughter on the team as well, so we’ll see if we can make it that long. To see your own daughters being such tremendous competitors is really fun. We also have a son, Chase, in the eighth grade, and I don't like missing his events, so we'll have to see how things go. One day at a time!”
Kohler admits it can be difficult to balance her professional and family life.
“It is very difficult, but if it’s truly your career and passion you will do whatever it takes to make things work. I was in the gym just days after our kids were born. They were in car seats and on my hip and learned at a young age what the black line meant on the court after they got knocked on the head by a ball or run over by a player, but they loved going there. I also have had a lot of help from family and friends to coordinate schedules and care.”
“It takes some sacrifice in the off season, spending endless hours in a sweaty gym working with athletes, coaching league and travel tournaments, coordinating youth programs and helping and supporting the junior high coaches. I wouldn't trade it for anything; I’m wired for the competition, for the relationships with the girls, to help make them successful in the game of life as well.”
Kohler is quick to deflect any credit to her family, coaches and athletes.
“(I’m thankful for) a work ethic that my Mom and Dad (Charles and Marge DeVorak) taught me at a young age. They never enabled us, just supported and encouraged us to work hard, do the best we can, and never use excuses. I feel like I work very hard at organizing competitive, energetic practices that are also very challenging. Being able to connect with our athletes is important as well and having a supportive family and an inexhaustible spirit is key as well. I won't let anyone outwork me. . . ever.”
What kind of legacy would Kohler like?
“I care a lot about every person I have ever had in our program. It's neat to see them grow up into strong young women. When I get cards with pictures of their families at Christmas, it makes me feel great to see their happiness and how they have become wonderful young mothers with careers of their own. I feel sadness when I hear of their struggles as well. I have three former players who have a child with cancer, and they are fighting a battle against an opponent much more formidable than any CLC team. I pray for them and worry about them. I would like to be remembered as a coach who loves her players for life!”
A swell legacy, indeed.
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