HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
LEE HIMMEGER, AYERSVILLE
1998 RECIPIENT
Success
only comes to one through the united efforts of others. Many were there for me,
my
family, my players, my associates. My philosophy is very basic. Give the
student-athletes the
basic needs for the game of life - scholarship, leadership, character, and
service. Put them
together with the four D's - Discipline, Dedication, Determination, and Desire.
It's what you
give of yourself so others will benefit. I can't, but we can. Teamwork will get
the job done.
Coach Himmeger coached at three different
schools for a total of 33 years, with 24 at Ayersville High School. His 527
victories are among the most in the history of the State, with a winning rate of
70.4% - 413 wins at Ayersville, 90 at Upper Sandusky, and 24 at Zanesville.
Himmeger graduated from Delphos Jefferson High School in 1952
and from Findlay College in 1956. He served as President of the OHSBCA from
1966-68, as a Director of District 7 for eight years, and as a football official
for 20 years. His personal honor include Class A Coach of the Year in 1961 and
1962; Co-Manager of the North-South Cage Classic for thirteen years; coach of
the North team in 1962 and 1977; Findlay College Hall of Fame in 1972; and coach
in the Dapper Dan Classic in 1982. He retired from coaching in 1990. His
responsibilities at Ayersville included serving as Principal for twelve years,
Athletic Director for 23 years, and Summer Program Supervisor for 24 years. In
addition to coaching basketball for 33 years, he coached baseball for 23, track
for ten, tennis for four, and golf for seven years, with three state teams.
Amazingly his teams had three undefeated seasons, won 65
regular season games in a row, and 58 consecutive games. Most coaches hope to
reach the State Tournament sometime during their careers. His teams qualified
three times and won it all twice, 1957 and 1961. He recorded 20 sectional
championships, six district, and three regional championships. One of his former
assistants said about him, "I was able to see the positive results and influence
that Coach Himmeger had upon young people he worked closely with. Every young
man who had that opportunity to participate in a program run by him was provided
the opportunity to grow and develop into a productive citizens through the
lessons taught on and off the court.
Coach Himmeger and his wife, Billie Jo, have four children:
sons Bernie and Brad, and daughters Jody Sullivan and Julie Thompson. Their
grandchildren are Rachel, David, Elizabeth, and Jacob Himmeger, and Taylor
Thompson. Lee and Billie Joe are members of the Trinity United Methodist Church
in Delphos.
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