(Compiled by Bob Fontana)
On Sunday, Aug. 23, the Ankeny Historical Society honored legendary Ankeny coaches Jerry Pezzetti, Bob Sharp and Fred Smith during the annual Ice Cream Social. Each coach was presented by a former student-athlete as a biography was read, along with stories and comments.
There were 70 former student-athletes in attendance amongst the 300 people in the crowd. Some of the guys had to leave before the large group photo was taken of the former athletes with the three coaches.
There were former athletes in attendance from Ankeny’s graduating classes in 1964 to 2007. We also want to give a shout out to guys that came from distance for this special recognition…Mark Schlenker from Alaska, Bruce Holten from St. Louis, Tom and Steve Akers from Kansas City, Scott Cole from Sun Valley, and any others that came from outside of the Ankeny area.
We also want to give a big thank you to Andrew Cochran at Hy-Vee North for their generous donation of all the ice cream and water for the Ice Cream Social that day.
Below are some thoughts and comments from former student-athletes that had the opportunity to call these men “COACH”:
Ron Sampson (1970)
The event saluting three coaching icons in Ankeny is more testimony on how Ankeny retains its ‘Our Town’ image and reputation no matter the size of the community. As a player, as a parent of players and most recently as a ref and umpire, I really appreciate the leadership and dedication our athletic and academic community gives Ankeny. Those three honored set the standard for careers that we all continue to benefit from.
Steve (1972) and Tom Akers (1974)
We both thoroughly enjoyed our short trip home to Ankeny to honor three Hawk athletic icons. Both Tom and I were blessed to have both coach Pezzetti and coach Smith play significant leadership roles during our time at AHS. The memories shared with both those coaches and old teammates brought back the feeling of our high school Friday night football games and big track meets.
The way these three men (including coach Sharp from the great Hawk wrestling program) mentored so many young high school students in an unbelievably positive fashion is a testimony to their character and dedication. Each inspired us to learn more about ourselves, to test our own limits and to strive for excellence.
To top it off, the setting at the Ankeny Historical Society campus for this reunion allowed us to take further walks down memory lane. The great displays that organization has accumulated to commemorate our own history is inspiring in its own way. Thanks to my classmate Rosemary Taylor for her role in the creation and growth of that special place.
We are proud to have been born and raised in Ankeny and appreciate the lifelong effect the city and men like these three coaches have had on our lives.
Bruce Holten (1973)
First off, I’d like to compliment the Historical Society team who set up the event and participated in allowing all of us to have food and beverages, making the afternoon so much more enjoyable for all who attended. That was very nice. I hope the vendors and residents that provided food and beverages are recognized too, as well as Bob Fontana for inviting numerous former athletes to attend.
Basically, the three coaches that were recognized were, in my opinion, some of the finest people who ever had the title of teacher and coach. We could’ve had thousands of people there, and it still would not have even touched all the students and student-athletes that these three men affected in their careers at Ankeny. I personally can say that the person I am today is basically a work in progress of the brilliant example that these coaches provided for us. How they taught all of us how to grow and how to assume the role of a citizen in the community and how to grow into being a man. Besides all of the sporting knowledge that they passed on to us to help us be better student-athletes and perform better for Ankeny.
I personally feel like I am the lucky one who got to go to school in Ankeny, and benefit and grow because of these men who gave me a priceless education in academics and sports. I’d like to say thank you to the people who put on this event and thought it was worthwhile for the community. I enjoyed myself immensely and just want to say how grateful I am to share in this recognition of these three gentlemen. We can never repay them or thank them enough for all that they gave to all the students and student-athletes. I’m proud to say that Ankeny is my hometown.
Mark Grant (1976)
As a kid growing up in Ankeny in the 70s, it was my dream to play football for Ankeny and coach Pezzetti. I lost my dad in 1973 and was going into my sophomore year. It was a crushing blow, but it was coaches like Jerry (and his assistants) that became a father figure for me. I must say I felt honored to have been a part of some of the teams that helped Jerry become the winningest football coach in Iowa history. To say I was the starting tailback at Ankeny my senior year was something I will always hang my hat on. We had a good run that year..the first team to win six games for Jerry. And look where Ankeny is now. It’s boggling to think Jerry is still there.
Like I said earlier, I am honored to have played a small, small part in the early years of a program that has changed thousands of young men’s lives for 50-plus years. Once a Hawk always a Hawk!
Scott Cole (1976)
What a great event at the Ankeny Historical Society Ice Cream Social, honoring coaches Pezzetti, Sharp and Smith. Until listening to their bios, I never realized how much these three men dedicated themselves to Ankeny High School athletics and helping grow young athletes into young men and women.
I also want to give a special shout out to Bob Fontana as well. Thank you for your commitment and leadership bringing together the community of alumni, family and friends to recognize these men and their positive impact. Job well done!
Lou Solari (1984)
I graduated from Ankeny in 1984, and looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to have had remarkable men guiding me during those high school years. Jerry Pezzetti coached me in football, Bob Sharp coached me in wrestling, and Mr. Fred Smith served as our athletic director.
At the time, I did not fully understand how much they were teaching us. Their lessons went far beyond football, wrestling, wins, and losses. They taught us discipline, hard work, accountability, toughness, respect, and commitment. They expected a lot from us because they believed we could become more than we sometimes believed ourselves to be. Those lessons stayed with me long after graduation.
The values I learned from coach Pezzetti, coach Sharp and Mr. Smith have shaped my life and career. They taught me how to compete, handle adversity, work with others, and most importantly, to keep going when things get difficult.
I know I was not the only student they influenced. Generations of young men and women in Ankeny were shaped by these coaches and educators. They were not just building athletes; they were helping build people.
Seeing these men honored and together again is a powerful reminder of the impact a coach, teacher, or mentor can have on a young person’s life. Coach Pezzetti, coach Sharp and Mr. Smith—thank you. You helped mold me into the person I am today, and I will always be grateful. Ankeny was lucky to have you, and I was lucky to have you in my life.
Todd Kluver (1986)
Regarding the ceremony at the Ankeny Historical Society honoring Jerry Pezzetti, Fred Smith and Bob Sharp, to see so many familiar Ankeny faces in attendance honoring three Ankeny legends was truly emotional and amazing. As teachers, coaches and administrators these three men truly helped lay the foundation for the outstanding success Ankeny’s programs have maintained over the years!
I simply can’t thank coach Pezzetti enough for the impact he has had on my life as an educator and coach! He is absolutely the best of all time. Thanks coach Pezzetti!
Eric Kluver (1991)
It was a pleasure to be in attendance to recognize three legendary men in Ankeny sports history. These three didn’t just build successful athletic programs, they helped build generations of young people and helped shape the identity of Ankeny. I was fortunate to play for coach Pezzetti. He not only was a great role model, but he taught us about hard work, discipline, toughness and integrity. I am a coach today because of the impact coach made in my life.
Cory Kluver (1994)
To be one of many former Ankeny athletes in attendance spanning multiple decades, you couldn’t help but go back to the memories those three men had a part in creating for us at Ankeny High School. They were true servant leaders to thousands of Ankeny athletes.
Andy Brodell (2004)
When I think of Ankeny, those are the guys I think of. They touched so many lives throughout their great careers. I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent as much time as I have with coach Pezzetti as a player, student and fellow coach. What a legacy they have all left for generations to come. We don’t deserve them!
Aaron Tjarks (2007)
This event was special. Seeing the different generations, the band, the families, and the sheer number of people who came out to show their love and support…it was awesome. All three men are role models as coaches and men, and all three set the standard and are the example of what it’s all about.