Donna Dulle Court finally a reality
[December 01, 2025]
When the words “Donna Dulle Court” were unveiled Friday night
during the 2025 Bill Rucks Varsity Boys Basketball Tournament right
in front of the woman herself, the legendary coach was a bit
emotional. Dulle shared the moment with her family, who was seated
next to her on the bleachers.
The fans inside Ed Butkovich Gymnasium gave Dulle a standing ovation
as daughters, Kathy and Bethany, reached out to hug their mom.
Dulle’s granddaughter, Anna, and husband, Ron, also showed their
affection.
Dulle coached at Mount Pulaski High School for 40 years and this is
certainly an honor that’s been long overdue.
“It’s just surreal,” said Dulle, immediately after the ceremony. “It
wasn’t really just me doing all of this. There were so many people
involved. The players who worked so hard. The parents who got their
kids here. And my family who let me do this. Ron was always there
for me. When you coach, you coach about 12-14 hours a day, so Ron
really raised the kids. And the community has been very very good to
me. I appreciate what everybody has done for me and my family.”
Dulle had an incredible coaching career at Mount Pulaski High School
that really speaks for itself.
~ 34 regional championships (25 straight)
~ 23 sectional titles (10 straight)
~ 14 state tournament appearances
~ 2 third place finishes
~ 8 second place finishes
~ 2 State Championships (1989 and 2007)
During the four years leading up to the 1989 state championship
team, their record was a phenomenal 148 wins and just 7 losses.
Going back one more year prior to Tina Rogers’ stint in high school,
the five year record was 178 wins and 9 losses.
[to top of second column] |
Donna Dulle is surrounded by family at the unveiling of Donna Dulle
Court on Friday, November 28, 2025. Photo by Teena Lowery
Dulle is second in career wins in the state of Illinois, with 1,128
and counting. She is currently the head coach of Farmer City/Blue
Ridge.
Impressively, she is also 25th in the nation for all-time wins for a
high school volleyball coach.
She also devoted a lot of time and energy to the annual Volley for
the Cure fundraisers that raised several thousands of dollars for
local families battling cancer throughout the years. She was also
very impactful in the lives of students on and off the court. And
she still has a reputation for being one of the best badminton
players on the planet.
Donna Dulle is so very deserving of this honor as she really put
Mount Pulaski on the map as a volleyball powerhouse.
From here on out, as future players and fans make their way into the
historic 1963 gymnasium that has seen some changes throughout the
years, it’s nice to know this change is for good.
Welcome to Donna Dulle Court!
May future generations play the game with as much dedication as this
woman possessed.
[Teena Lowery]
 |
