The Lady Indians’ record of accomplishments during the 26 seasons of Mraule’s coaching tenure at MHS borders on astonishing: 450 wins vs. 145 losses, two state championships (1985, 1991), a state runner-up (1984), 12 Southwestern League titles, eight district tournament championships, five regional tournament championships, six final-eight state finishes, and seven final-four finishes.
In an interview Thursday, Mraule reflected on some outstanding memories.
  
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Regarding the 1985 team, he said it was special because the team the year before was the state runner-up. Montrose had no returning players from that team the next year and beat an undefeated team to win the championship.
“There are so many good memories. I’ve kept the scorebooks from every season and can remember the kids most of all,” he said. “I still correspond with many of them.”
He talked about how rewarding it has been to stay in touch, including seeing a number of former players and parents who were at the CU Event Center on Wednesday to see the Indians play Mullen.
A fine athlete in his own right, Mraule was a four-sport athlete at Paonia High School and classmate of fellow Colorado High School Activities Association Hall-of-Famer Dan Cholas, who lives in Delta.
“Dan and I played football and basketball together all four years. In the spring, we would run an event in track, take off the spikes and pick up old baseball gloves and head to the baseball field,” he said.
After graduating from high school in 1961, he attended Mesa State for two years before transferring to the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, where he earned his degree and teaching certification in 1966. From there, he started the following fall as a teacher and coach at Montrose High School.
Until he accepted the activities director position in 1985, he taught business and consumer education classes and sponsored the DECA (Distributive Education Club of America) program, in addition to coaching freshman football and JV boys basketball.
When girls basketball was added for the 1975-76 season, Mraule took over the program as its first head coach, posting a 9-9 record for the season, his only non-winning season.
“There are so many great stories and great things that happened over the years,” he said. “But working with the kids and their parents are the best.
“I don’t recall ever having a year I didn’t feel good about. But I’ll definitely miss the kids most of all.”
Among the many stories from Mraule’s teaching and coaching career, one in particular involves his passion for fishing. On a spring day during his third year as a teacher at MHS, Mraule could not resist the temptation to ditch school and head for Blue Mesa. He called in sick, loaded up the car with tackle and rods, which were sticking out of the open windows, and headed east out of town.
“It was a beautiful day, and I had the windows open and the radio blasting away when a car pulled alongside to pass, then the people inside honked and waved. It was John McCaffrey (MHS principal at the time) and Superintendent Pratt. I about died,” Mraule said. But he was quick to add that he did go fishing, nonetheless.
“Eileen (John’s wife) was working as a secretary in the central office, and I had her check my personnel file for weeks to see if anything had been put in. But John (McCaffrey) never said a word to me, and I never considered doing that again,” he related with a smile.
In looking back at his career, Mraule insisted on paying tribute to others. “I really want to thank people — fans, parents, other coaches; I don’t remember anything but good times and good people. I also need to thank the administration for the support and encouragement they have given over the years.”
He finished by adding two additional points of emphasis. “I have always worked with great coaches. Laurie Brooks, Chuck Terrell, Jason Dalee, Eric Sanchez, and Jock Fleming have been great, and it’s been my privilege to coach alongside of them. But it will be the special relationship with the players that will be the hardest thing to let go,” Mraule said.
About the future, he said that he simply doesn’t know. It will include fishing, but maybe some basketball as well.
“There are a number of good people out there to take over. If I can be of help with the younger kids, I’d be happy to do that,” he said. “I’ve spent a tremendous amount of my adult life invested in coaching. Thankfully, Eileen understands and supports that. If I can help by coaching, great — if it’s clapping from the stands, that will be great too.”
Regardless of what the future holds, it has been an incredible run for Coach John Mraule.
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