Mary Beth Nienhaus will be inducted into the Appleton West Hall of Fame later this month.

A life-long resident of Appleton, Mary Beth Nienhaus taught physical education and coached for 28 years at Appleton West High School. During her tenure, she coached golf, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, track, and cheerleading. Nienhaus’ golf and basketball teams collected multiple Fox Valley Association and WIAA regional, sectional, and state championships. She was named LPGA Coach of the Year in 1987 – the only high school coach to ever receive this honor.

Always a trailblazer, Mary Beth was Marquette University’s first female student-athlete. She joined the men’s golf team in 1965 after winning the Wisconsin Women’s Public Links Golf Association Amateur Championship in 1963 and 1964. The first to represent Marquette in intercollegiate postseason play, she won two state amateur championships and was named Wisconsin Female Golfer of the Year in 1969.

Mary Beth is a generous philanthropist and active volunteer. She has been involved with and supported more than 20 non-profit organizations in the Fox Cities, serving as a board member and board president for many of them. Neinhaus has participated in 15 mission trips to developing nations and an additional 25 missions around the United States. Neinhaus has been enshrined in four halls of fame (St. Mary Central High School - her alma mater, Wisconsin State Golf Association, Wisconsin High School Basketball Coaches Association, and Wisconsin High School Golf Coaches Association). 

Mary Beth is a strong believer in honesty, hard work, dedication to Christian beliefs, and giving back to the community.

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To watch the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, visit Appleton West's YouTube channel around 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 14.