As just the third basketball coach in Woodbury High School (WHS) history, Kent Getzlaff takes great pride in his occupation and also in his community. “I like coaching and teaching in the community that I live in,” says Getzlaff, who took over the program three years ago after Scott Swansson’s retirement.
Growing up with a basketball coach father who was selected as a member of the Kansas Coaches Hall of Fame, basketball has simply become a way of life for Getzlaff. “I’ve probably been playing basketball since as early as I could walk,” he says.
Basketball has also become an encompassing passion for Getzlaff’s wife, two daughters, sisters, nieces, nephews, mom, father-in-law and other extended family who regularly attend his WHS games. And he coaches alongside his brother-in-law, Sammy Ricks. “As far back as I can remember, going to basketball games in our family is just what we do,” Getzlaff says.
He teaches 11th and 12th grade social studies at WHS and finds that Royal pride in being part of what he’s found to be “a high quality high school.” He played and coached at St. Paul’s Concordia University. “My long-term plan is to be teaching and coaching for as long as I can,” he says.
To follow Coach Getzlaff’s WHS boys’ basketball team, check out the schedule at the website here.
