Coach Julie Merkle is officially retiring her knee pads!
On Tuesday, February 21st, Coach Merkle was honored for her coaching career during the OLHMS vs. Liberty volleyball game. For the past 25 years, Coach Merkle has coached the McGugan and OLHMS girls’ volleyball teams. She has been a teacher for 35 years with various roles in District 123 such as 3rd-5th grade teacher at Hannum Elementary, Reading Specialist at Hannum Elementary and OLHMS, and 8th grade ELA teacher at OLHMS. She has spent her last 15 years at OLHMS.
Coach Merkle has transformed the game of volleyball throughout her years of coaching. Mr. Mears, long time friend and colleague of Coach Merkle, shared that “Julie has her own unique coaching style - whether it’s running up and down her bench slapping high-fives with her players or sprinkling imaginary pixie dust on them. She has motivated her girls and made them better players. She has won many titles in regular seasons and tournaments and has had many players grow to play in high school and at the collegiate level. But, the biggest thing she did was make them better people.”
During the celebration honoring Coach Merkle, former players throughout her 25 year coaching career came back to surprise her! She was showered with old pictures, flowers, warm hugs, a delicious cake, a memory book, a gift from her 8th grade team, and many years of happy memories. Coach Merkle was moved to tears during the celebration. You could see her smile from across the gymnasium.
“The best part of coaching volleyball is not only watching the girls have fun on the court, but seeing their progress over the course of their time as OLHMS Mustangs!” - Coach Merkle
