Bishop LeBlond High School Principal Solon Haynes introduced Tim Wenkel as the new boys basketball coach on Monday.
Wenkel comes to LeBlond after being head boys coach at Hermann (Mo.) High School for the past five years. He led the Hermann Bearcats to an 83-50 record, and captured the school’s first district championship in 31 years in 2010. He was named the 2010 Central District Coach of the Year. Six of his former players are now playing collegiate basketball including Jake Schannuth who signed last year to play at Benedictine College.
Under Wenkel’s guidance, the Bearcats earned two 2nd place finishes in the Four Rivers Conference although Hermann is the 2nd smallest school in the conference. Some 28 of his players earned Academic All-Conference honors and 10 earned Academic All-State Honors.
Haynes said the search committee was excited to find someone with Wenkel’s credentials. “We were really impressed with not only his knowledge of the game, but his emphasis on developing young men in all aspects of their lives,” Haynes said. “Everyone I talked with commented on how they would hate for Hermann to lose him, but that we would be getting a dedicated, hard-working coach who cares about his student-athletes.”
Prior to arriving at Hermann, Wenkel spent one year as an assistant coach at Steelville High School, and two years at Chamois High School. He also has been a track and field coach and helped design and equip a new 2000 square foot weight room at Hermann.
“I am very humbled and excited about being the next coach at Bishop LeBlond. There is a tradition of excellence here that we can only build upon. Everyone here is committed to winning in the classroom, on the court and in the community,” Wenkel said.
Wenkel attended Owensville (Mo.) High School, and earned his bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University. He took additional coursework in theology and philosophy at St. Louis University and earned a theology degree from Conception Seminary College. He is certified to teach Physical Education, Health and Social Studies.
Haynes said Wenkel will teach religion at Bishop LeBlond.
— Bishop LeBlond Press Release —