Bonduel High School last week began interviewing applicants for the job of girls varsity basketball coach.
Melissa Dowden stepped down this spring after nine seasons with the Bears, a 138-71 career record, two Central Wisconsin Conference-8 championships and a WIAA regional title.
“Coaching at Bonduel has been great,” Dowden said. “Building the program from the third grade up and watching the Bonduel program grow has been rewarding.”
Dowden cited health reasons and the desire to watch her daughter, recent BHS graduate Jen Dowden, play at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee as reasons for her resignation.
She will remain as the school’s administrative assistant.
Dowden started coaching at BHS around 1991 as the junior varsity coach.
“It was exciting to get back into the sport without playing,” she said, “and when the (head coaching) opportunity was right, it was fun to take the challenge.”
Her two conference titles came in the final two seasons. Following this season, she was named coach of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division 4 North All-Star squad.
Dowden said she is confident next year’s team and the new coach can continue the school’s string of successes. Three seniors — Jen Dowden, Lexi Reinke and Deanna Zernicke — graduated from this year’s squad.
“I had 12 on varsity last year and only three are leaving, so there is a nice base for the varsity team,” Dowden said. “They can still do great things next year and maybe get conference.”
School athletic director Roger Toole did not indicate how many people have applied for the position.
“Whomever they decide on, I know they will make the right decision,” said Dowden, who will continue to serve as a volleyball assistant coach and help with scorekeeping during basketball games.
She noted she will enjoy her first winter without the head coach responsibilities in nearly a decade.
“I haven’t enjoyed the winter for a long time,” she said.
