Ruth Leeftink, CHS Staff Member & Coach

Ruth Leeftink began her career at Salem Central High School in 1955. She was a graduate of Racine High School and the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. At Central, she taught both history and economics. Her students remembered her as being a “tough” teacher but acknowledged that they learned many life skills in her economics class that they still use to this day. Ruth retired from Central in 1990. Her career spanned a total of 35 years as both a teacher and coach.

Today, it is hard to imagine that in 1976 the only organized conference sport for girls at Central was track and field. In 1977, Ruth pushed for the school district to create both the first girls’ volleyball and basketball teams. Furthermore, she coached both of them for no compensation. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that girls’ athletic programs were created at Central. Her dedication to the advancement of girls’ athletics was unprecedented and Central girls’ athletics was immediately successful.

Darla Wack, Athletic Hall of Fame inductee of 2017, summed it up nicely, “Ms. Leeftink was a powerful force. Her drive to bring girls’ athletics to meet Title IX standards allowed CHS to become a powerhouse in the state of Wisconsin”.

Although Ruth had a reputation as being a tough teacher, her true personality and humor were revealed to the athletes that were privileged to call her “Coach”. 

Girls Volleyball (1977-1985)

• Conference Champions (1980, 1981)

Girls Basketball (1977-1990)

• Conference Champions (1980, 1981, 1982)