Welcome Message

The structure of this web site is to honor those individuals that have devoted their lives to serving Arizona's youth with leadership, excellence, and success.  The men and women inducted into the Arizona High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame are the epitome of their profession and are being honored by their peers.  As of this writing 220 great coaches/educators have been inducted into this place of honor.  The Hall of Fame inductions began in 1984 with 32 charter members.  Usually a group of 5 new worthy coaches are added annually after a preceding member and/or the Executive Board induction committee nominates and then selects the candidates on the basis of their tenure, merit, and other exemplary characteristics.  We hope you enjoy moving through this history of excellence in Arizona High School Athletics.  You are navigating through a membership of coaches that have all been a coach for 20 years in the same sport, more than one sport, had unparalleled success, and/or have served their respective coaches' associations in various volunteer capacities.  Enjoy this trip down memory lane. There is a handsome public display of all 220 coaches in the Gila River Arena in Glendale just inside Gate 7. 

Hall of Fame

Howard "Howie" Breinig is one of Tucson's most celebrated football coaches.  After playing football for the University of Arizona for 3 years Coach Breinig spent the rest of his career teaching the game to the young men of Tucson.  Breinig's Sahuaro Cougars were the State 4A football Co-...Read more

Bob Crosswhite was one of Arizona's winningest high school wrestling coaches during his career.  Coach Crosswhite led the Winslow Bulldogs and Joseph City Wildcats to 8 State Championships.  The Bulldogs were first in 1981, 82, 85, 86, 87, and 1988.  During that span Crosswhite's teams were also...Read more

Gary Venturo was the head football coach at Tempe Corona Del Sol High School for 23 years.  His Aztecs won 154 games and lost 101 during that span.  Although Coach Venturo's boys never won a State Title, he and his teams earned tremendous peer respect for his honesty, integrity, and "put the...Read more

Herman McArthur was a career athletic trainer and supporter of the Arizona Coaches Association at Winslow High School.  Coach McArthur kept athletes healthy and on the field or court at many of the Winslow athletic contests.  Coach McArthur assisted the likes of Emil Nasser, Carl Weatherton,...Read more

Norma Bellamy was the second woman inducted into the Arizona Coaches Hall of Fame in 1992.  That was the only time Coach Bellamy was second.  During her long and illustrious career at Safford, Norma's Lady Bulldogs collected 21 (yes, twenty-one) Arizona State Volleyball Titles.  Although Safford...Read more

Neola "Sis" Voegtli from Parker High School was the first woman inducted into the Arizona Coaches Hall of Fame in 1991.  Sis was not only a successful coach, she also supported the Arizona Coaches Association with years of work as an Executive Board Member, All-Star Coach, and committee member....Read more

Terry Nodlinski was an outstanding football and baseball coach.  He had great years in Payson, Tolleson, Independence, Gila Bend, and Yuma Catholic.  Coach "Nods" led his Payson Longhorns to State Runners-Up in 1976 and 1986.  Coach Terry's 1981 Longhorns were undefeated and the 2A State...Read more

Jim Crawford was a rare commodity 30 to 40 years ago in Arizona, a true native.  Jim was born in Bisbee, raised in Pomerene, graduated at Benson, and attended Eastern Arizona College on a track scholarship.  Jim continued as a student and hurdler at Arizona State University where he earned his...Read more

Larry Delbridge has been a fixture in the Coolidge High School football program for the past 30 years.  Coach Delbridge led the Bears to State Titles in 1983 and 1984.  Talked out of retirement, Larry returned as a top assistant and helped Coolidge to 2 more State Titles in 2005 and 2006.  The...Read more

Steve Burke's Thunderbird Chiefs dominated play for ten years in the 4A conference.  His girls were State Runners-Up in 1996, 97, and 2004.  The Chiefs were outstanding from 2002-2005 with 4 straight appearances in the State Title game.  Coach Burke's Chiefs won the State Title 3 of those 4...Read more

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