Mailbag
Dear Editor;
To the citizens of Minneota, the School District, the football and baseball coaches, parents, but most importantly, all of the kids, past and present, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for an amazing two plus years.
This past Thursday I was offered and accepted a position with the Worthington School District. While I’m excited to see what the future holds for me, I am and will forever be grateful for the time I have spent in Minneota.
It all began when I had to complete a coaching practicum for a class at SMSU and I asked Chad Johnston if I could complete it under him at Minneota. He said yes, and I can’t imagine where I would be today without it.
What a ride it has been. The coaches, Johnston, Myrvik, Sussner, Engler, Buysse, and Rodas have been awesome from day one.
I started as a shy guy at the bottom of the totem pole trying not to mess anything up, and ended up not being afraid to make suggestions. What I have learned from this staff will be with me for the rest of my coaching career.
To the kids that I have had the privilege of coaching in both football and baseball, umpired in softball, and line judged in volleyball it has been a joy.
I have enjoyed every single minute of it. To the community, you have embraced me like I was one of your own. For a kid from Fulda who grew up competing against you, that meant the world to me.
I have been in many different districts through coaching and school, and let me tell every single one of you something, Minneota is special.
Don’t ever take that for granted. What you may deem as your problems are miniscule compared to what most other districts have.
Your students are testing at a high level and competing at an even higher level in various activities. That is a result of a great administration, great community, great teachers, but most importantly, great students.
Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Even though it was only for a little over two years, I will forever be a Viking.
God Bless,
Coach Ryan Koopman