NAPOLEON — The Northwest Ohio District 7 Basketball Coaches Association was to honor former Otsego coach Jim Bostdorff and former Lakota coach Dick Heller as its 2023 Retired Coaches of the Year, during its annual all-star game at Napoleon High School on Sunday.
Bostdorff coached boys basketball for 30 years at Otsego, 16 as head coach. He won 338 games in his career with 172 wins at the varsity level, winning one league title and three sectional titles.
Bostdorff was the 2012-13 District 7 Division II Coach of the Year and Bob Arnzen Longevity Award winner in 2011.
Bostdorff has been an active member in the Northwest Ohio District 7 Basketball Coaches Association. Serving as the Boys Division II representative for six years, the boys Division III representative three years and the all-star game coordinator for seven years.
A lifelong third generation farmer in the Bowling Green area, he is married to wife Selene for 38 years. They are parents of daughters Kaley and Hannah, son David, granddaughters Emry, Adly and Aurora with two more grandchildren on the way.
Bostdorff thanked all the coaches he had the privilege to work for and work with in his coaching career. and to his wife Selene and family for their understanding and support.
Heller graduated from North Central High School in 1972, and earned his undergrad from the University of Toledo in 1977, and Masters of Education in 1989 from the University of Toledo.
His education career includes Galion Northmor, Lakota, Oak Harbor, Port Clinton and Danbury high schools before retiring in the spring of 2022.
His coaching career started while in college at the University of Toledo. Heller says he was inspired by Larry Bruce, Tom Rettig, Dave Worstein, Paul Gnepper and Steve Lucius.
Heller’s career began in 1974 coaching CYO in Toledo with assistant stops at Cardinal Stritch, Northmor, Galion, and New Riegel.
He served as the head girls coach at Lakota from 1991-2002 winning three conference championships, nine district tournament appearances and one regional appearance.
At Oak Harbor from 2002-2021 he guided the Rockets to two conference championships and seven district tournament appearances, that included two 20-0 seasons and ranked second in the state.
Heller’s last stint was at Danbury 2017-2022. He compiled a 339-216 varsity girls coaching record. Heller also coached the North/South, Ohio-Indiana, and several District 7 all star games.
Heller received the State’s Sportsmanship Integrity and Ethic’s award, State’s Division II Coach of the Year award, the NFHS Coaches Association Mideast Sectional Coach of the Year award and Northwest Co-Coach of the Year award.
His wife, Dennie (Brumfield) Heller, retired after 33 years from Marathon Petroleum Company. He has two sons, Trevor and Drew, and three grandchildren.
“My family has been my rock throughout my coaching career,” Heller said. “They put up with all the late nights watching film, shortened holiday trips, restricted summer plans and the many times I brought home my frustrations.
“Without their understanding and support, I am not sure how long I would have lasted as a coach. I will forever be grateful for their sacrifices and attribute my longevity and success to their support.”
