HOMECOMING DAYS
PANTHERS SWEPT
Mount Ayr Community High School is hosting homecoming activities this week. See king and queen candidates along with a schedule of events on page 7A of today’s paper. >>
No. 3 Carroll Kuemper moves to 5-0 in Hawkeye 10 with a sweep of the Panther volleyball team Tuesday evening. Read more in SPORTS, page 8A. >>
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Coaches cite Bergstrom’s influences on their careers
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015
Respected leader Bergstrom to join CHS Hall of Fame Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series on 2015 inductees into the Creston Community Schools Hall of Fame at 12:30 p.m. Friday in the CHS auditorium. See Thursday’s story on inductee Larry Peterson.
By LARRY PETERSON
CNA sports writer lpeterson@crestonnews.com
“I have often told anyone willing to listen how fortunate I feel to have had coach Bergstrom as a high school coach. ... I am constantly reminded of and apply lessons I learned from him.”
By LARRY PETERSON
CNA sports writer
Dick Bergstrom not only served as a role model for his players over the years, there are many coaches who say they were directly influenced by the longtime Creston/O-M football coach. Current Panther head coach Brian Morrison’s first exposure to Bergstrom was as an opposing player at Lewis Central in the early 1990s. Later, when he arrived from Earlham 13 years ago to serve as a volunteer inside linebackers and offensive line coach, he quickly began drawing on qualities he uses today to direct that same program. “I remember as a player their offensive line play was really good,” Morrison said. “Their scheme was just outstanding. He was so meticulous in how he handles things. Then when I came here it was a different level, it reminded me of how a small college would practice. The efficiency of time and the kids being involved in things.” Morrison said Bergstrom’s consistent success — 17 straight winning seasons — started with how accountable each of the players was to the mission. “What he preached to the kids, as far as accountability and everything that was attached to Creston football, was just so consistent,” Morrison said. “The star player was not treated any different than anyone else. He enjoyed going to practice and interacting with the kids and the kids enjoyed seeing that.”
lpeterson@crestonnews.com
H
e was known as much for his dynamic leadership approach as for his success on the football field. Dick Bergstrom, a member of the teaching and coaching staffs for 33 years, will be inducted Friday into the Creston High School Hall of Fame as a distinguished faculty member. The induction ceremony will take place at 12:30 p.m. Friday in the CHS auditorium, in conjunction with the homecoming queen coronation. He will also appear in the 2 p.m. homecoming parade through uptown Creston, and be introduced at 7 p.m. at Panther Field prior to the 7:30 p.m. homecoming football game against Glenwood.
Reaction Bergstrom, who recently completed his fifth season as a football coach in Europe after retiring from teaching in June 2010, said he was surprised and honored to receive the congratulatory letter this summer from CHS Principal Bill Messerole. The school administrator is joined by a community volunteer committee each year to vote on nominations. “I was surprised and excited to receive that letter,” said Bergstrom, who was coaching the Bielefeld Bulldogs in Germany at the time.
Please see COACHES, Page 2
— Kyle McCann
Former quarterback at Creston and University of Iowa
CNA file photo by LARRY PETERSON
Creston/O-M coach Dick Bergstrom with the Panthers during the 2005 playoffs. Bergstrom won 204 games in his high school coaching career and is a member of the Iowa Football Coaches Hall of Fame. He will be inducted into the Creston High School Hall of Fame Friday.
“You always think you’re working hard and trying to do the right thing, but you’re humbled when other people recognize that.” The Panther football program gained statewide respect as a consistent postseason contender for more than three decades under Bergstrom’s guidance. The Cedar Falls native who played football at the University of Northern Iowa was head football coach for 33 years at CHS (1977-2009), which included 17 straight winning seasons and 10 playoff teams. His record at Creston was 175-136, with an overall Iowa high school coaching record of 204-156, placing him among just 44 Iowa coaches all-time to reach 200 wins. He is a mem-
ber of the Iowa Football Coaches Hall of Fame. “I don’t know if the general public realizes how hard it is to be consistently good enough to win 200 football games,” said current Panther coach Brian Morrison, in his sixth year as head coach. Bergstrom was also a high Morrison school mathematics, health and physical education teacher during his time at CHS, and served as National Honor Society sponsor for several years. In the classroom, he was known to be available for students
who needed extra help. “I always felt Mr. Bergstrom was diligent about assisting students who needed to come in and get extra help,” said longtime CHS Principal Ron Levine. “Probably the main thing is, he was a very good role model to the students. I always thought his use of language and conduct was outstanding. He was an example for young people, and they notice those things more than we may realize.” His wife, Sue, was also a longtime elementary teacher in the Creston School District. They are the parents of two children, the late Bryce Bergstrom and Brittney Trilk. Brittney and husband Joe Trilk live in Waukee and are the parents of a son, Bryce, and two daughters Harper and Kampbell. Bergstrom took a meticulous approach to the football field. He was admired for his organizational skills and emphasis on integrity and high character. Morrison said it “resembled a Please see BERGSTROM, Page 14
CNA photo by IAN RICHARDSON
See You at the Pole: The Rev. Brian Jack, pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in Creston,
left, reads scripture during this morning’s See You at the Pole event at Southern Prairie YMCA. About 15 community leaders and residents gathered near the Y’s flagpole to pray for local schools and leaders in the community, nation and world. Locations around the world observe See You at the Pole, a student-organized day of prayer for schools and communities, on the fourth Wednesday in September. Also pictured, left to right, are Lynn Irr, Madalyne Green, David Livingston and Aaron Young.
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Give me an “N”: A worker replaces lights on the letter “N” atop The Iowana building
in uptown Creston this morning. Workers climbed to the roof of the seven-story building to make the repairs to the sign this morning.
SAVE THE DATE the 6th Annual
EXTRAVAGANZA holiday to holiday
Thanksgiving | Christmas | New Years
Monday, October 26, 2015