Community Spirit Amidst Decline
In the small towns of Newell and Fonda, Iowa, the echoes of rural decline are evident, with many storefronts and homes in disrepair. Nonetheless, the sense of community and spirit remains alive and well, especially in the local high school gymnasium, which serves as a gathering place for residents to support their girls’ basketball team. The Newell-Fonda Mustangs, consisting of 21 out of 71 female students in grades 9-12, have become a shining example of success against a backdrop of diminishing interest in girls’ basketball.
Declining Participation in Girls’ Basketball
Despite the growing popularity of women’s collegiate and professional basketball—boosted significantly by stars like Iowa’s Caitlin Clark—participation numbers for girls basketball languish, with a national drop from 451,600 participants in 2000 to an estimated 356,240 by 2025. Meanwhile, volleyball has surged to become the most played girls’ team sport, with numbers rising from 380,994 in 2000 to 492,799 today. In Iowa alone, girls basketball participation has plummeted by 38% over the past two decades, indicating a wider trend affecting many schools.
Coaching and Community Support
Newell-Fonda’s head coach, Dick Jungers, who has led the Mustangs to a remarkable 527 wins and four state championships across 24 years, acknowledges the shift.
“Once, every team that we faced had multiple skilled players, and now it seems some teams are struggling to field one or two,”
he remarked, illustrating the alarming decline in player numbers throughout the state. As a testament to their prowess, the Mustangs rolled into this season with a formidable record of 14 wins to 1 loss, consistently outperforming opponents with an impressive average victory margin of 34 points.
Community leaders like 89-year-old Jim Gailey have witnessed firsthand the unwavering commitment of fans, many of whom have spent decades supporting their local teams, attesting to basketball’s role as a cultural cornerstone.
“It’s an intense desire to win, you’ve got to admit,”
Gailey stated, emphasizing the pride that fuels fans’ passion.
Challenges and Future of Girls’ Basketball
Despite the Mustangs’ success, many neighboring high schools have faced challenges, with some disbanding their girls’ programs entirely. Coaches have noted the diversion of talent to club volleyball and wrestling, which has grown rapidly since becoming sanctioned in Iowa. This changing landscape presents a challenge for basketball, as players increasingly choose to specialize in just one sport. Iowa’s female athletes are developing statistically fewer basketball skills, leading some to discontinue the sport as early as middle school.
Newell-Fonda ensures that the roots of basketball remain strong. Youth programs begin as early as second grade, fostering a love for the sport and providing opportunities for young girls to learn the game.
“It’s what you do, even if you don’t have athletic talent,”
remarked Andrea Vanderhoff, a former player and now a youth coach. The local tradition is palpable, with participants often playing multiple sports and cultivating the surrounding community spirit.
Celebrating Tradition and Community
As the Mustangs continue their winning ways, the camaraderie and support from the townspeople are unmistakable, as they gather not just to watch a game, but to participate in an event that binds their communities together. With meals served before games and standing-room-only crowds, basketball nights are both a celebration of tradition and an essential component of life in Newell and Fonda, creating an atmosphere where local pride sports a rich legacy despite the broader setbacks faced by girls’ basketball across the state.
Regardless of the challenges, as alumni return to coach and community members volunteer their time, youth interest remains strong at Newell-Fonda. With participants like Madelyn Vanderhoff—whose mother Andrea coaches her—future generations are poised to continue this beloved local tradition. As the elder stateswoman of the program, 87-year-old Marie Breon, quipped,
“Everybody knows us. We don’t have to tell ‘em,”
capturing the essence of Newell-Fonda’s indomitable spirit in girls’ basketball, a beacon of hope amidst a nationwide trend of decline.
