[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 46 (Wednesday, April 12, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO RETIRING COACH DELBERT BEST

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 12, 2000

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, it has come to my attention that Delbert 
Best will retire as the athletic director and track coach on June 30, 
2000, after 25 years of coaching and teaching at Wellington-Napoleon 
High School in Missouri.
  Delbert grew up in my hometown of Lexington, Missouri, and graduated 
from high school in 1966. Shortly after graduation, he joined the 
Marines and served a tour in Vietnam during his three years on active 
duty. In 1969 he returned to civilian life and enrolled at Central 
Missouri State University at Warrensburg where he also was a member of 
the track team. He graduated in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in 
education. After completing his student teaching at Odessa High School, 
Delbert worked for the local water company in Lexington while waiting 
for a permanent teaching position to become available.
  In January 1975, Delbert took a job teaching science in the 
Wellington-Napoleon School District. That spring, he began his 
association with the varsity high school track team as their assistant 
coach. He was named head coach the next year and the school won its 
first I-70 Conference boys track meet and the school's first district 
track championship the year after that. He coached the boy's track team 
to the state championships in 1985, 1987 and 1991. They took second 
place in 1986 and 1987, and third place in 1993 and 1996. The girls' 
track teams took second at the state championships in 1992 and third in 
1993.
  Delbert has been honored for his commitment to coaching many times. 
He was named the State 1A Boys Track Coach of the Year eight times and 
the State 1A Girls Track Coach of the Year three times. In 1994, he was 
recognized as the Region 5 National Boys Track Coach of the Year, which 
included not only Missouri, but six other midwestern states. In 1998, 
Delbert was inducted into the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches 
Association Hall of Fame during ceremonies at Columbia.
  Mr. Speaker, Delbert Best has dedicated 25 years to teaching and 
motivating talented young people. I wish him and his family all the 
best in the days ahead, and I am certain that the Members of the House 
will join me in paying tribute to this fine Missourian.

                          ____________________