Ed Prohofsky and Frank Hentges definitely made their mark in Minneapolis Public Schools and City Conference, Prohofsky as a coach, teacher and administrator, Hentges as a teacher and coach. Besides the students, teachers and colleagues, each had an impact outside the classroom as well.
On Saturday, February 18, 1989, Minneapolis Roosevelt, coached by Hentges, hosted St. Paul Cretin Derham Hall in the Twin City girls basketball game at Washburn High School. I was a 23-year-old sportswriter in my second year at Insight News and very excited about covering the game.
There was one problem though. After identifying myself as a reporter to cover the game, I was denied entrance because my name was not on the pass list.
My frustration quickly mounted as myself and Washburn Athletic Director Gary Stenerson were at an impasse.
Things changed when I spotted a gentleman sitting quietly in the stands. That gentleman was Prohofsky, the Minneapolis City Conference athletic director at the time.
“If you go to Ed,” I said, “he will vouch for me.” Stenerson calmly went over to Prohofsky and moments later both waved me in.
Along with the capacity crowd I watched Roosevelt—behind the outstanding play of Kim Carpenter, Angelique Brittain, Cindy Hovet, Jenny Hanson, Carita Goines and Katrina Wheeler—score a 48-46 victory over the 13th-ranked Raiders.
Prohofsky, who recently passed away at the age of 90, led Minneapolis Marshall University—with Ronnie Henderson, Rodney Hargest, Steve Newby, Jim Ludgate, and Ronnie Hadley—to the 1976 Class A boys state basketball title. He went on to hold coaching positions at Golden Valley Lutheran College, Hamline University, Macalester College, Minnesota Lynx and Minnesota Timberwolves. He retired in 2009.
Hentges, who passed away a few weeks ago at 81 years old, went on to have an outstanding coaching career.
After the 1988-89 season concluded, Hentges, with all five starters returning for the 1989-90 campaign, took over the boys program at Roosevelt. He led them to four consecutive conference championships (1990-93) and two state tournament appearances (1991 and 1997).
In 1991 Don “Tex” Phillips, Wayne Charles, and Steve McArthur led the Teddies to a Class AA runner-up finish.
Six years later the 1997 team—with Donnie Groce, Stacey Barrett, Antonio Fondren, Romero Nelson, Arione Farrar, and Joe Mitchell—made a surprising run in the state tournament, placing third in Class AAA. Hentges retired after the 1998 season.
I didn’t know at the time during that Twin City game that both Hentges and Prohofsky would have such a positive influence on this young sportswriter. When I started covering Roosevelt’s girls, I had never had a personal interaction with Hentges.
Then, while at the 1989 girls state tournament, Carpenter approached me. “My coach wants to meet you,” the junior forward said. Upon introducing ourselves, he thanked me for the coverage.
Prohofsky waved me in after my identity as a sportswriter was confirmed, but interestingly enough, I had only interacted with him once before.
That Twin City game is a memory etched in my mind forever. Not only was it a great game, but I was in the presence of two of the best to ever coach it.