Rolbiecki, popular teacher/coach, dies

Jim Rolbiecki, one of the most recognizable figures in Minneota for many years, died peacefully at his home surrounded by family Sunday morning after a seven-month battle with cancer.
Rolbiecki remained strong and positive during his illness, often being seen attending local events.
"Jim Rolbeicki was a great man who was a positive influence on both the students and the athletes of Minneota High School," said head football and boys' basketball coach Chad Johnston. "Jim was the AD at the time I was hired to be a teacher in Minneota. He was one of the first people from the school that I met. He hired me to be an assistant football coach, a Junior High girls basketball coach, and an assistant baseball coach. He will always be a positive influence in my life."
Rolbiecki was a teacher and coach for 36 years at Minneota High School. He was inducted into the Minneota Hall of Fame in 2017, the same year his daughter, Jami (Rolbiecki) Bossuyt was inducted. Jim insisted on having the inscription on his Hall of Fame plaque read: "It was for the kids."
Jim explained the inscription at the ceremony by telling that he had once asked the late Dale Yost why he taught and coached.
"Dale told me it's for the kids and that always stuck with me," Rolbiecki said.
Minneota mayor John Rolbiecki, Jim's son, introduced his father at the Hall of Fame ceremony.
Rolbiecki started the Minneota girls' softball program in 1983 and remained head coach until 2015.
"He was a great coach and teacher of the game," said Renee Wyffels, who played for Rolbiecki from 1993-96 and was the catcher for three years when his daughter, Jami, was the pitcher. "He really stressed the basic fundamentals of the game. He is one of the people who influenced me to go on and play college softball at Southwest Minnesota State University."
Heidi Louwagie was his assistant coach from 1991-96 years before switching to coaching golf. In 2013, she returned to coach with Rolbiecki again until he resigned in 2015 and she took over the program as head coach.
"Jim welcomed me into the Viking family as a friend and mentor when I landed in Minneota in 1990," Louwagie said. "He was the absolute best at setting a culture on the field and in the classroom about working hard, but having fun while you do it. He truly loved his studies and players. His heart bled blue and gold. I try to walk in his ways. I am so thankful and blessed to have had Jim in my life."
Rolbiecki taught Social Studies/History for 36 years and was Minneota Athletic Director for six years. He was a big influence on both his students and co-workers.
He also coached football, girls' basketball, boys' basketball, baseball and golf at various levels over his 36 years at Minneota.
In 1991, Rolbiecki received the Butch Nash Award as Minnesota Assistant Coach of the Year. He was also an assistant football coach during three state titles from 1986-88.
He was named Conference Coach of the Year in softball in 2015.
Rolbiecki was also an avid golfer at Countryside Golf Club and shot a hole-in-one there last summer.
"He loved teaching and coaching," said former longtime Minneota golf coach and avid golfer Ralph Hagen. "He pushed students to be their best, laughed easily, and led He valued friendships and loyalties. His colleagues and opposing coaches would break into smiles at his name."
But more than being teachers and coaches at Minneota for many years, Hagen and Rolbiecki were good friends for over 50 years.
"We taught next door to each other," said Hagen. "We painted houses together, we went to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area together, and fished and golfed together. He will be greatly missed by many people."
As 9/11 will always be remembered for the many who died in the terroristic attack of the Twin Towers, it will now also be remembered locally as the day Minneota lost a quality coach, teacher and friend.