Larry Niemeyer
Photo by Natalie Niemeyer
"You’ve got to get up every day with a purpose," according to Larry Niemeyer, who became the first high school coach – in any sport – to notch 2,000 victories when his
Jefferson (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) softball team blanked
Mid-Prairie (Wellman, Iowa), 2-0, last week.
Niemeyer, who will turn 73 in September, has compiled an incredible 2,006-411 record In 50 years at Adel and Jefferson, with four state titles. Though his record includes fall softball, he has coached strictly one season per year since 1978.
"It feels good," he said of his milestone victory. "I enjoy what I do. Being that successful, I realize how many good kids I’ve coached and staying healthy for a long time. I call the pitches and I love the competition."
He also still coaches girls basketball (854-312 record, one state title and three runner-up finishes) and teaches business full-time. He also has coached a state champion team in cross country and indoor track during his illustrious career.
Niemeyer’s milestone victory was celebrated with a large banner presentation between games of a doubleheader.
Close to 45 of his former players (basketball and softball) came from as far away as California, Alaska and Oklahoma. The turnout included three former Iowa Miss Basketball selections and two players who won the Jack North Award at the state softball tourney.
"It was quite an array of talent," he said proudly.
An added bonus was the honor of throwing out the first pitch prior to an Iowa Cubs minor league baseball game in Des Moines, Iowa. That was special because he admits that if he has a hobby it’s following the Chicago Cubs.
Asked the secret of his longevity, the veteran coach replied, "Anything you do, you have to adjust. Kids, parents and work ethics are different now. You have to change and go with the flow," Niemeyer said of the secret to his longevity. "If you can’t make adjustments to things, they’ll just pass you by. Just being around kids (keeps you young)."
Niemeyer gets plenty of help from his son, Nick, and daughter, Natalie, who both are assistant coaches.
The Jefferson Hawks currently have a 20-3 record. Two of those losses came in 1-0 decisions.
"We have very good defense and pitching and average hitting," Niemeyer said.
Niemeyer, who has been named National Coach of the Year in softball and basketball a total of five times, has been at Jefferson since 1978. When he took over, the softball team did not even have its own field and the basketball team had won just 25 games over the previous five years.
During his tenure, Jefferson has reached the state softball tourney a record 28 times, including 17 of the last 20 years.
Though he does have a couple health issues, don’t look for Niemeyer to retire any time soon.
"A lot of people think when you get into your 70’s, you should retire," he said. "I knew a banker who retired and he called it the worst thing he ever did. If you can’t keep busy, you’ll just sit at home and wait for bad things to happen."
