Episode 81: Doug Vander Linden Memorial Service

Longtime Burlington High School Head Coach Doug Vander Linden was laid to rest yesterday after a long battle with cancer and other complications. Doug was loved and respected throughout the state and known nationally for his work on policy and promotion of the sport of wrestling. Most recently, he was instrumental in helping the Kansas State high School Athletic Association to sanction girls wrestling. His memorial service was a humbling and heart-warming event. Attendees were greeted with a full parking lot at Burlington High School on a Sunday afternoon and a reception line that started thirty deep outside of the building and snaked its way through the school’s entryway into the spacious wrestling room where Doug had spend so many hours molding young lives. In addition to this podcast, I would encourage you to seek out postings on social media, including the Sports in Kansas article by Bethany Bowman and Conor Nicholl which can be found at sportsinks.com. The outpouring of support for the family and messages of how impactful Doug was is impressive. What follows is an audio recording of the reflection portion of the memorial service. Shawnee Heights coach Chad Parks serves as the emcee.