Very few high school coaches across Iowa have held their position longer than Adel-Desoto-Minburn head boys soccer coach Bill Shields.Shields overtook the ADM boys soccer program in the spring of 1988 and this year marks his 30th season leading the Tigers on the pitch. Shield’s tenure has included several winning seasons and seven trips to the state tournament since 2006. The Raccoon Valley Radio Network spoke to members of ADM-Van Meter boy’s soccer team Wednesday afternoon about multiple storylines ahead of Monday’s season opener. When it came to the topic of Shield’s tenure, several players had a positive story to share.

Senior Davis Barton says Shields three decades with the ADM boys soccer program shows his dedication to the sport and community. “The whole time he’s been here, our teams have been pretty successful no matter who we’ve had (on the field),” Barton said, “It’s always exciting to play for him cause he likes to joke around with you and make good comments. It’s fun.”

Senior Gage Fuller spoke highly of Shields inclusion of everyone on his team. “He tries to get equal playing time when he can, which isn’t always possible,” Fuller said, “He treats everyone fairly even though he can’t always get equal playing time for everyone.”

Senior Eli Schwarzkopf credits Shields for helping him feel part of the community when he first moved to Adel a few years ago from South Carolina. “When I first moved here freshman year, he was the first person I met from Adel,” Schwarzkopf said, “I came to a soccer camp right after we got here and helped me get involved and helped me meet some friends.”

The ADM boys soccer team kicks off their competition season Monday, hosting the Carroll Tigers in a Raccoon River Conference varsity match. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at ADM Stadium in Adel.