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Former Pella High School girls basketball coach Mike Vint, who retired last year following his 30th season coaching at Pella, will be inducted into the Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) Hall of Fame in April in Cedar Rapids. Vint says he got the call informing him about his induction last week, and since then has reflected back a lot on his career and how fortunate he has been.

“There were good and bad times and when I look back on it, there were times I wanted to quit because it’s a tough choice of career, but when I look back on it now I’m really greatful more than anything else.”

Vint says ending his career with three straight state tournament appearances was great but he says the everyday teaching of the game is what he will miss the most.

“I remember a team that got beat by 30-40 points by a team in January then turned around and beat that same team in February. When you saw some growth in kids and teams able to turn things around that was even more gratifying than winning championships. I always liked practice more than games because of the teaching part of practices. I’m gonna miss that part of it the most I think”

During his 30 year coaching career Vint amassed a 387-124 record which included 8 state tournament appearences including two semi final appearences and a state runner up finish in March 2008. You can hear the full interview with Vint on the Marion County PM Sports Page Wednesday night starting at 6:30pm on KNIA/KRLS.