HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
RICHARD KORTOKRAX, KALIDA
1999 RECIPIENT
Through the 1997-98 season, Coach Kortokrax had 632 wins for
a winning percent of 74.2. The 1998-99 season was his 39th and so
those wins will be added to the above total.
Dick graduated from Anderson University and earned his Master's Degree from
Ball State University. He served two years at Fort Jennings, thirteen at
Ottoville and the last twenty-four years at Kalida High School as Head
Coach. While coaching he spent seventeen years as a classroom teacher,
twenty as a principal, and twenty-seven as an athletic director - many years
serving in a dual capacity!
Dick is a dedicated family man. Married for 42 years, he and his wife Donna
Mae have raised eight children. Their daughters and sons are: Debbie, Diane,
Dana, Beth, Susan, Rick, Robert and Randy.
Coach Kortokrax was always quick to show appreciation and give thanks to
those who helped him along the way as his role models, mentors,
administrators and assistant coaches. Special mention goes to his coach,
Louis Heckman (Hall of Fame 1990), Paul Grilliot at Fort Jennings and to his
assistant for thirty-six years, Joe Horstman. Included among the assistants
were Jeremy Stouder, Jim McBride, Bob Gerdeman and his son Rick Kortokrax.
His accomplishments at Kalida include these championships: 15 Putnam League,
14 Sectional, 7 District, 3 Regional, 3 State Qualifiers, and State Champs
in 1980-81. Coach of the Year Awards were: Putnam County League, District 8,
Northwest Ohio and on the state level: Ohio High School Basketball Coach
Association and Associated Press. He coached in the District 8 East-West
All-Star Game, the North-South All-Star Games and the First Annual
Ohio-Michigan Game in 1987.
He served as President of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches
Association in 1976-78 and as an officer for 10 years. He has been an active
member of the Coaches Association every year he has coached.
Dick received the prestigious Paul Walker Award in 1986. He currently ranks
third in the number of victories in the history of Ohio High School
Basketball and first among all active coaches.
Return to the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Home Page
©2004 Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association