If you listen closely to discussions associated with success in high school sports, you hear the growing argument that it has more to do with the coaches and their programs and less to do with the size of the school.

At Madison Edgewood, which celebrated four WIAA state championships during the 2008-09 school year, developing those coaches starts in its own building.

Edgewood public information director Kate Ripple e-mailed this week to point out that all four coaches of the Crusaders' state championship teams are Edgewood High School graduates. They were:

• Baseball -- Rich Newton (Class of 1992)
• Boys Golf -- Joe Ring (Class of 1989)
• Girls Golf -- Peggy (Kelly) Gierhart (Class of 1986)
• Girls Soccer -- Chris Martinelli (Class of 1990).

Kate said that of Edgewood's 24 varsity coaches, six are alums of the school. And that doesn't count the scores of former athletes who serve as assistant and non-varsity coaches or are visible in their support of the Crusaders' programs.