BGM softball coach Jill Hulsing receives Golden Plaque of Distinction

          Jill Hulsing, a long time teacher and coach, is the recipient of the Golden Plaque of Distinction. 

By J.O. and Debbie Parker
 
          Jill Hulsing has had a life-long passion for the game of softball. That passion led to Hulsing receiving the Golden Plaque of Distinction from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association at the 2024 State Softball Tournament in Fort Dodge on Friday, July 26.
         “It is an amazing feeling being included with other coaches I have admired for years,” said Hulsing. “I was extremely shocked when I was contacted.”
         Hulsing got her first taste of softball as a bat girl for her dad, Iowa Girls Coaching Association Softball Coaches Hall of Fame coach Dallas Pals. It wasn’t long and she was keeping score, then playing the game starting in eighth grade, and eventually serving as assistant coach, all under her dad’s guidance.
        Her playing days included two trips to the state tournament for 1A Meservey-Thornton High School Lancers in 1982 and 84 when there were only 16 teams total in the tournament field. In 1984, the Lancers finished in fourth place and Hulsing was named captain of the All-Tournament team. She also received the Jack North Award, named after the long-time Des Moines Tribune Sports writer. The award goes to the senior who receives the most all-tournament team votes. Hulsing was captain for the Lancers her senior year.
          Hulsing went on to pitch at Northwestern College in Orange City, graduating in 1988. This led to her first coaching job at MOC Floyd Valley, where she stayed for three seasons. In 1991, Hulsing took a teaching job at Grinnell, along with the head softball coaching job.
       “Some of the greatest (softball coaching) memories are while in Grinnell. I had the honor of coaching some amazing athletes and had four teams qualify for the state softball tournament in 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2006 with our highest finish of fourth.”
         After 24 years in Grinnell, Hulsing took on the new endeavor of coaching softball at BGM High School in Brooklyn, where she has had the privilege of coaching alongside her daughter, Ashley. 
        “Getting to coach my daughters and now coaching with Ashley have been special for me,” said Hulsing, who received District Coach of the Year and was inducted into the IGCA Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019.
        Hulsing’s husband, Jerry, is also a coach. He received The Golden Plaque award for basketball in 2018.    The couple’s family includes daughter, Ashley, and her husband, Matt Kriegel, and their daughters Kenna and Kinley with twins due in September; daughter, Alyssa; daughter, Erica; and daughter, Emilee, and her husband, Tucker VanderFeen, and their daughter, Mauer. 
        “To say I was shocked when I was told of this award is an understatement,” said Hulsing. “I am extremely honored and humbled to be among the amazing coaches who have received this award. I thank my family for supporting me over the years as well as all of the coaches I have worked with. I also am grateful to have coached so many wonderful athletes in 37 years that helped me truly enjoy my time spent on the field each summer. In addition, I want to thank all of the people that have messaged me in so many ways to share their congratulations. It really makes a person feel special!”