Bartels named coach of year

After stepping in as Clinton's varsity girls basketball coach, Bart Bartels was named Region 3, Class C Coach of the Year by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan.
The honor is given after regional coaches vote on their top selection and the honoree is then presented with an award at the Hall of Fame Banquet in Lansing from Oct. 3-5.
Region 3 includes all of Lenawee, Washtenaw and Monroe counties. Coaches of every class are eligible but only one coach is selected.

“This is a great honor,” said coach Bartels, “and I accept it on behalf of my players and assistant coaches who all made it possible.”

Bartels was assisted by Bob King, Mike Ruhl and Katelin Smith.
It was the third time Bartels has received the honor during his long coaching career. He followed in his father's footsteps and his children are also carrying on the tradition. Bartels' father was a successful coach at Muskegon Community College while his daughter Mellissa Bartels-Wilson coached Onsted's seventh grade team to an undefeated season this year. His son Brian Bartels also coached the St. Stephen A team (6th, 7th, 8th) to an undefeated season. Bartels and his kids each won conference championships.