DIEDE BEING INDUCTED INTO SDHSCA HALL OF FAME SUNDAY

Laverne Diede, whose career in education was marked by 40 years at Freeman Public Schools as a coach, teacher and administrator, is being recognized once again for her role in high school athletics.

The South Dakota High School Coaches Association (SDHSCA) announced last month that Diede will be inducted into the SDHSCA Hall of Fame. An induction ceremony and awards luncheon will be held at the Highland Conference Center in Mitchell this Sunday, July 17 at 1 p.m. Tickets for the banquet can be arranged by contacting Jim Dorman at 605-940-1262.

Diede, who is being recognized for track and field, is part of 2022’s six-member class. The others being inducted are Anita Boeck of Alrington in volleyball, Richard “Doc” Michel of Rapid City in track and field, Jerry Rhodes, Sr. of Philip in track and field, Bob Sittig of Baltic in basketball, and Mark Wendelgass of Huron in track and field.

Diede was named girls track and field coach of the year in 1976, won the Cornbelt Conference Service Award in 1996, the South Dakota High School Activities Association Leadership Award in 2001 and was an honorary referee at the Howard Wood Dakota Relays in 2011.

In February of 2019 she was inducted into the South Dakota Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Hall of Fame and last September was inducted into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame.