Photo: Dwight Gingerich getting hugs from sister-in-law, Cathy Gingerich and niece, Hannah Gingerich, with son, Eli Gingerich. Photos provided.

Iowa Mennonite School (IMS) boys’ basketball coach Dwight Gingerich, a 32-year veteran of the hardcourt, guided the team to its 600th career win under his leadership on Dec. 20.

The victory coincided with the school’s annual Alumni Night festivities in Kalona, Iowa.

The win moved Coach Gingerich into an exclusive club: only 10 coaches in state history have reached the 600-win plateau.

Just five of the coaches ahead of him on the list are still active (the winningest coach began the 2014-15 campaign with 779 victories).

Gingerich has a winning percentage of .793, good for third place among those coaches with 600+ wins.

Gingerich is a 1976 IMS graduate, and did his undergraduate work at Eastern Mennonite University (1977-81) in Harrisonburg, Va.

He has taught, coached and served as guidance counselor at IMS since the fall of ’81 breaking twice—once to pursue a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Iowa (during which time he continued coaching at IMS), and the second time in 2000-01, when he served as head men’s coach at Goshen (Ind.) College.

IMS has participated in the state tournament 12 times under Gingerich’s leadership, winning the state title in 1992; his teams also finished second in 1991, 1998, 2005 and 2007.

Equally meaningful, his squads have received the Sportsmanship Award several times during their state runs.

Gingerich’s first three teams posted losing records.

IMS had a winning record in 1985-86, and has had a winning season every year but once since that time. IMS has produced several Division I players, and numerous others who have received all-state recognition. Gingerich has served on state boards relating to high school hoops, as well as serving as a youth coach for AAU squads.

Of special importance in the 600th win is the fact that Gingerich’s son Eli (class of ’16) is a key contributor to the team; he is the leading scorer and point guard.

Special tribute was paid to Gingerich following the win, in which he was lauded as an outstanding coach, educator and mentor to hundreds of young men and women over the years (he has also served the school as volleyball coach).

Many of the young men and women who have played for Gingerich over the years were in attendance for the milestone win, and were invited onto the court to help celebrate the achievement.