Photo belongs to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union

The leader of the Adel-DeSoto-Minburn Girls Track and Field Team was recognized with high honors for his exemplary work in the community.

ADM Girls Track and Field Coach Bart Mueller was given the Golden Plaque of Distinction, which according to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, celebrates a coach that demonstrates a successful career while making notable contributions towards the school, community, and the coaching profession. Mueller has been coaching for 29 years total, and 14 of them have been with ADM. He is humbled because of what the plaque stands for.

“That award was meaningful because it is kind of something beyond wins and losses and success. It is about building character and building up people and living out your character in your community too. You invest in the school whenever you coach too beyond the sport, and it’s been a way that I’ve been able to connect with kids pretty well and build them both as athletes and people.”

Ever since his time at ADM, Mueller tells Raccoon Valley Radio that he’s been fortunate to have a fantastic group of young women year in and year out, including coaching his daughter. During this past season, the Tigers won the Class 3A Track and Field Championship for the second straight year.