Commissioners honor retired longtime Dover basketball coach
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) Tuscarawas County leaders are helping send off a local sports icon.
During Monday’s board meeting, the county commissioners presented a certificate of recognition to longtime Dover head basketball coach Bob Von Kaenel, who hung up his whistle last month after 33 winning seasons. The inscription reads, in part:
“Coach Von Kaenel has 741 basketball coaching wins, including 599 at Dover, making him the fourth in Ohio history to accomplish this; and whereas Coach Von Kaenel’s tournaments include two State Runner-Up teams, a Final Four appearance, 22 sectionals, 9 District Titles, and 2 Regional Championships.”
Von Kaenel graduated from Strasburg, where he launched his impressive coaching career that also included 11 years at Tusky Valley.
“And what a humble and thoughtful man he is,” said Board of Commissioners President Kristen Zemis. “His wife was also with us and they talked about how every year he really tries to keep in touch with all of his past players, and he sends birthday cards to every single one of his players that he has contact information for every year.”
Bob intends to use some of his newfound free time to travel with his family. Perhaps, some of their trips will be to cheer on his former team under whoever the district hires to replace him.