A WORD FROM COACH FONTANA
An incredible amount of work goes into a successful basketball program and it takes effort and sacrifice from a number of people. Those efforts and sacrifices are greatly appreciated by our basketball staff. I personally want to thank my wife, Shari, and children, Madison and Spencer, for all the sacrifices they have made over the years for me to be a Head Basketball Coach. I am forever grateful. It was a proud moment in May of 1997 when I became the head coach at Kennedy High School.
I feel honored to lead this program and to represent Kennedy High School. There are many people and groups that have helped build the solid foundation of Kennedy Basketball. Our administration is very supportive and they are great people to work with and for. Our athletic director and activities office do a number of things for our student-athletes that are greatly appreciated. Our basketball parent support group spends countless volunteer hours helping with our Jr. Cougar tournament, our team meals, our basketball banquet, the Cedar Rapids Shootout and our letter writing fundraiser. Their dedication and commitment to our program is greatly appreciated.
Our Junior Cougar program is going strong with approximately 150 young men and 19 teams in grades 3-8. The program started in 2002 with 8 teams and 65 players. We have other future Cougars playing on other junior teams as well. We appreciate the time commitment of all the future Cougars, their coaches and their parents.
I also want to thank our Booster Club for their continued support. It would be difficult to do some things in our program without the support of the Booster Club.
I challenge our student section to continue the trend that has been established the last six seasons. Our Super Fans have shown great student support and leadership.
Then there is our coaching staff. I feel quite honored to lead an outstanding coaching staff. Varsity assistants Jeff Hrubes and Larry Williams have been with me for 14 years. Coach Hrubes and Coach Williams are great teachers of the game and I am very thankful to have them as my right hand men. Gary Mackey and Tom Hodges are also Varsity assistants on our staff. Gary enters his 5th year on the staff and Tom is entering his second season with the Cougars. Both coaches have been assistants previously at other high schools and join us with an enthusiasm and passion for the game of basketball.
Coach Derek Roberts is an up and coming basketball coach and leads our sophomore team along with Coach Tim Collins as his assistant. Coach Roberts is entering his 2nd season on our staff. Coach Collins is returning to the Kennedy staff and has now been with us for 9 years. These two coaches are students of the game and are continually working to make our program better.
Coaches Jim Efting and Mike Green have led our freshman teams for 15 and 10 years respectively. They spend numerous early mornings with our young men and they are to be commended for their efforts. They are continually working to help our freshman understand the "Kennedy way".
As you can see there are many different people and groups that have made Kennedy basketball what it is today. When people look back at what has been accomplished throughout the years they see 12 state tournament berths and 10 conference championships.
As a head coach, I not only see those accomplishments, but I also see all the young men who were dedicated to our program. Whether they were a varsity, junior varsity, sophomore or freshman player, their efforts are all appreciated.
As the head coach of the Kennedy Men's Basketball program, it is truly an honor to represent Kennedy High School.
Take care and God Bless All,
Bob Fontana
Head Varsity Boys' Basketball Coach
