OSMOND — Each year, the Lewis and Clark Conference has conference schools nominate a person from their community to be recognized for their contributions and their volunteerism to their school. The conference has named this award the “Jim Winch Service Award.” Jim was the athletic director of Winside Public School for many years and was very active with the Lewis and Clark Conference.
This award is presented annually at the Lewis and Clark Conference Basketball Championship Games. The Jim Winch Service Award is given in special recognition to those who have given years of service to assist school staff and those students served by the school’s activity program.
Joe Ortmeier received the 2025 Jim Winch award at the conference finals at Wayne State College on Monday night, Feb. 10. He was then recognized on Thursday night, Feb. 13, at halftime of the girls’ basketball game against Wausa in Osmond. Wausa High School coach Greg Conn was also recognized as the other recipient of the Jim Winch award.
The presentation for Mr. Ortmeier, which was read at both the confer(Continued on ORTMEIER RECEIVES JIM WINCH SERVICE AWARD ence game and the one in Osmond, read in part: “Joe Ortmeier has been a pillar of Osmond Community School from 1984 to 2025, marking an incredible 41 years of service. His coaching journey includes 13 years with boys’ and girls’cross country, 41 years coaching girls’ track, 37 years with boys’ track, 24 years coaching girls’ basketball, five years in football, and numerous junior high sports. Mr. Ortmeier’s influence on the lives of Osmond Tiger athletes has been profound, fostering both athletic and personal growth.
“In addition to his coaching, Mr. Ortmeier has served on the NCA Girls Basketball Advisory Committee and the NCA Boys Track Advisory Committee, as well as holding key roles as the Lewis and Clark Conference Track Co-Meet Director and Clerk of the Start. His contributions were recognized with the 2013 Northeast Nebraska Track and Field Achievement Award. Like Mr. Conn, Mr. Ortmeier often speaks of being fortunate to coach many talented athletes, but we know it’s the athletes and the entire Osmond community who have been truly fortunate to have him.”
