Glenn Rutenbar
Bartow High School
Impact Statement
Rutenbar continues to add to his coaching resume at the college level after 28 years at Bartow High School.
Biography
It is always special when a coach starts a new program and remains committed to its success,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to recognize Glenn Rutenbar as the National High School Softball Coach of the Year.”
Rutenbar has coached the Bartow High Yellow Jackets since the school began its softball program in 1987. In that span Bartow has won four state championships, 12 district titles and Rutenbar has tallied a coaching record of 453-87-1, as of receiving this honor. This year’s Rutenbar-coached Bartow team defended its Class 3A 2002 state championship season by posting an impressive 9-0 victory in the state final game against Navarro High. After finishing the season outscoring its opposition by a total of 267-22, Bartow (32-0-1) was also ranked No. 1 in the United States in multiple end-of-season prep softball polls. Rutenbar led the Yellow Jackets to the State’s Final Four 16 times. The Yellow Jackets had a streak of 10 Championships appearances from 1997-2006.
After 28 season, Rutenbar hung up his cleats at the conclusion of the 2014 season, but didn’t stay away from the diamond long. He began coaching at Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL but went back to Bartow and is still coaching the Yellow Jackets.
Photos
