Adrian, MI – Long time coach Bart Bartels, of Adrian, passed away peacefully on September 25th at the age of 73. After earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Michigan, he began his teaching career in Manchester.
It was there, while teaching and coaching, that he met the love of his life, Trudi, who was student-teaching at the same school. They married in 1976.
Known to many as, ‘Coach Bartels,’ he began his coaching career at Manchester, leading both Varsity football and basketball teams, but his legacy was built in Lenawee County, coaching Varsity basketball at Britton, Clinton, and Adrian.
Bartels amassed nearly 700 wins, secured multiple Tri-County Conference championships, and became one of the winningest coaches in boys and girls basketball in league history.
He began his coaching career with the Manchester boys basketball team, from 1974 through 1985. In 1985, he became head coach of the Britton girls basketball team, where he won multiple league titles, along with six district championships.
Bartels led the Britton boys varsity team from 1987 to 2005, earning a District Championship in 1992, and three league titles.
For the past 7 years, he coached at Tecumseh alongside one of his former Britton-Macon standout players, Kristy Zajac… Kristy Maska at the time. Together, they earned over 100 wins, capturing two district titles, an SEC League Championship, and a Regional Championship.
Visitation for Bart Bartels will be held today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian. Funeral services will take place on Tuesday at 5 p.m.at St. Stephens Lutheran Church, in Adrian.
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*media courtesy of the online obituary posted at wagleyfuneralhomes.com*