Jerry graduated in 1967 from Augsburg College where he was a four-time All-MIAC player. Following his graduation, Jerry became high school hockey coach at Kennedy in Bloomington, MN - his only teaching and coaching job ever.
Jerry coached the hockey and soccer team for over 25+ years at Kennedy (21 years as head coach winning 10 Lake Conference Championships in the two sports combined). He took hockey teams to the State Tournament in three different decades - 70's, 80's and 90's. Kennedy won the State title in 1987, was runner-up in 1984 and Consolation Champion in 1976. His teams were Section Champions in: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1985, 1986, 1989 and 1992. For 25 years he ran free skating clinics each fall and each spring for kids in the Kennedy area. Jerry was selected the State Coach of the Year in 1984. Jerry additionally was inducted into the MHCA Hall of Fame in 1995. He had the unique situations of winning State Championships, being selected Coach of the Year and being inducted into the Coaches Hall of Fame in two different sports. Jerry retired from coaching in 1992.
Active in the Coaches Association, he served as section representative, then Executive Secretary from 1986-1992. During the time he started the Academic State Championship program making hockey the first sport to have such a program in Minnesota. The program is now copied by almost every sport. Jerry worked with Tom Osiecki to start the Hall of Fame dinner in 1991, and also developed a plan for having the tournament players banquets privately done when the MSHSL dropped them. He recruited his assistant coach friend Mark Hultgren, then worked with other coaches associations to get tournament banquets for almost every boys and girls state tournament. Jerry served on the High School Leagye Advisory Committee from 1988-1992 and represented the MHCA in developing the two tier hockey tournament.
Cumulative Coaching record: 361-141-18
