Hall of Fame Inductees

The following are being inducted into the Iowa Girls’ Coaches Association Volleyball Hall of Fame for 2007. The ceremony will take place on November 17 in Carroll, Iowa. The Hall of Fame ceremony will be held as part of the Senior All Star Weekend. The inductees are:

Eileen Beninga – Eileen started and ended her coaching career at Waterloo West High School. She stated the volleyball program at Waterloo West in 1976. Her career coaching record was 524-356-68. She took Waterloo West to 10 state appearances with a semi-final appearance in 1986 and 1997. She was voted State Coach of the year in 1997. She started the Senior All Star Game which evolved into the All Star Weekend. She also created the first statistic book for the state of Iowa. Currently, Eileen is retired and living in Decorah.

Charles Halsey – Charles began his officiating career in 1973 and has never stopped. He started his volleyball career at Mt. Vernon High School. He was asked first to be the coach and switched to officiating in the fall of 1973. Charles has worked numerous state tournaments, districts, and conference tournaments. Charles helped form the East Central Officials Association. This group organizes volleyball official for schools in the area. Currently, Charles is retired, but teaches at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon.

Wayne Westenberg – Wayne coached at Sanborn High School and Unity Christian High School for a total of 22 years. His career record was 593-108-33. He led Unity Christian to 10 state appearances, winning titles in 1990, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 2000. He was voted State Coach of the year in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 2000. In 1999, Wayne was voted into the National High School Coaches Hall of Fame. Currently, Wayne is the Head Volleyball Coach at Northwestern College located in Orange City.

Marj Wharff-White – Marj stated and finished her coaching career at West Des Moines Valley. She started Valley’s volleyball program and brought volleyball to the Des Moines Area. Her career coaching record was 308-245-76 during her 20 years of coaching. She took the Tigers to 3 state appearances in 1976, 1978, and 1980. She also started the Des Moines Metro Tournament. Currently Marj helps with the athletic department as West Des Moines Valley and lives in Urbandale.

For more information about the inductees or the Hall of Fame Ceremony, please contact Craig Pitcher, Chair, Iowa Girls’ Volleyball Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame Committee at Iowa City High School.