Well-known coach Von Allmen dies
FORT ATKINSON — Pete Von Allmen was being remembered Friday not only as one of the Wisconsin’s most successful basketball coaches, but one who cared deeply about people.
Von Allmen, a Monroe High School graduate, died unexpectedly this week at his home in Fort Atkinson at age 65.
The 2004 Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee was the first high school girls coach in state history to win 400 games. He had a high school career record of 454-154, including 17 years at Hartland Arrowhead and nine at Fort Atkinson.
Von Allmen won three conference championships and had a 119-83 record as Fort Atkinson’s head coach from 1993 to 2002. His 400th win came in a Southern Lakes game against Delavan-Darien on Jan. 6, 2000.
As one of the state’s premier programs in the Von Allmen years, Arrowhead won WIAA Division 1 state championships in 1988 and 1991. The Warhawks also advanced to the state tournament four other times under Von Allmen.
After leaving the Fort Atkinson program, Von Allmen was an assistant coach at Beloit College for two years and at UW-Whitewater the last five. He helped Whitewater win the 2008 WIAC championship, go 29-4 and finish third in the NCAA Division III national tournament, then go 23-5 last season.
The news of Von Allmen’s death shocked the UW-Whitewater staff.
“I don’t know what to say,’’ head coach Keri Carollo said. “This is a great loss to our program and to basketball in the state of Wisconsin.’’
Dr. Paul Plinske, UW-Whitewater’s athletic director, shared those feelings.
“Pete was one of the kindest, most loving coaches I have ever worked with,” Plinske said. “He cared more about others than he did (about) himself.
“I truly believe his positive impact on our women’s basketball program will be felt for many years. He is most definitely a coaching legend. More importantly, he was a wonderful person who will be greatly missed.”
Von Allmen received his master’s degree at UW-Whitewater in 1990 after graduating from UW-La Crosse in 1966. His basketball career began as player under legendary coach Lee Mitchell at Monroe in the early 1960s.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Sep 27, 2009 at 5:42 p.m.
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I was proud to call Pete a friend. He was a good coach but more importantly a good man. I will miss him and our conversations very much. Rest in peace, Pete.
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