2016 -garry bahe 2016 -bob zweifel sun prairie aches A jefferson Co sso Bahe was the head ll c Zweifel was the head a ia coach at Sun Prairie b t coach at Jeferson High High School for 14 e i School for 14 years, ater s WBCA years, ater serving 16 o serving as a JV assistant a n seasons as an assistant WBCA coach for 15 years. He B coach. His record h has been coaching at n a as a head coach was i some level since 1968. l 161-115. During this s WBCA While Zweifel was head

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time Sun Prairie won coach Jeferson won six o

four conference titles, o

f conference titles, and WBCA c

made eight Sectional s reached State Tournament three times. His f

i

appearances, and won two State Champion- a record while a head coach was 170-102. Zweifel

m

ships, 1994 and 1997. Bahe was the Big Eight W WBCA has also coached VFW and Junior Legion

“Coach of the Year” four times, and in 1994 e Baseball in Jeferson. His commitment and he was named by the WBCA as the “State dedication to Jeferson High School baseball Coach of the Year”. During his reign, Sun can be seen, as ater his career as a head coach, Prairie became one of the top Division I high he resumed his duties as an assistant coach, school teams in Wisconsin, a tradition that for the past 28 years, has won over 300 games. being named WBCA “Assistant Coach of the continues today. Bahe retired in 1999. It’s not just at West where he’s inluenced the Year” in 2007. 2016 -cy berg game of baseball. He has been the president and general manager of the Oshkosh Giants 2015 -john feldner eau claire memorial that play in the Wisconsin State League for mcfarland the past three decades. Commissioner of that Berg is perhaps league for over two decades, he is a member of Feldner has been the head the most suc- the league’s Hall of Fame. He’s been an active coach at McFarland High cessful baseball particpant and leader in Oshkosh’s Snitz Club School for over 40 years, coach in Wis- and Pepp Club, which promotes baseball at all in which time his teams consin from the levels city wide, for over 30 years. have accumulated over 350 late 50’s thru the wins. He has won Regional early 60’s. In 12 For the past ten years, he has been the Chair- Championships in each of the seasons at Eau man of the All-Star Classic, held annually in last three decades, and was Claire Memo- his home city of Oshkosh. he Classic features an inaugural winner of the rial he posted 72 of the state’s inest student-athletes, all of WBCA Ethics in Coaching Award presented by a 153-32 mark. whom have graduated, and 12 high school the WBCA last winter. He has served the WBCA Eau Claire coaches who are members of the WBCA. It’s a as a district representative for many years and is Memorial made lawlessly run tournament that is another high- a consistent worker at the All-Star Classic. six trips to State Tournament during that light for those involved. Currently still active at Perhaps Feldner’s greatest trait is his character. time, inishing as a State Runner-Up once, Oshkosh West. and winning four State Championships, He brings honesty and integrity to both the game 1957, 1958, 1961, and 1962. In four seasons of baseball, and life. He is a great example to his as a Legion coach, his record was 56-12. He 2016 -ernie millard athletes as he models these traits to his young is a member of both the Eau Claire Memori- homestead men year ater year, steering them to make good al Hall of Fame and the Eau Claire Baseball choices that will carry on into adulthood. Hall of Fame. Berg passed away in 2008 at Millard is one of the most successful coaches in the age of 84. Wisconsin baseball To many young men, Feldner has been a boss, history. His 483 wins coach, counselor, friend, and mentor. his at Homestead High February he will add the title, member of the 2016 -tony gerharz School place him WBCA Hall of Fame. Currently still active at 3rd all-time amongst McFarland. oshkosh west active WIAA summer baseball coaches and 2015 - randy krehbiel Gerharz’s contri- 7th all-time. In 23 butions to baseball years as head coach at westosha central Homestead, Millard in Oshkosh and Krehbiel retired from Westosha Central ater has won two confer- on behalf of the putting together a 301-220 record. His teams ence championships, Wisconsin Baseball there won ive Conference Titles, ten Regional made six trips to State Tournament, earned Coaches Associ- Titles, and four Sectional Titles. His 2002 team State Runner-Ups in 2003 and 2014, and in 1994 ation have been won a WIAA State Championship. He was a earned a State Championship. Millard has been invaluable. charter member of the Greater Kenosha Youth named North Shore “Conference Coach of the Baseball/SotballAssociation, was twice a Coach Year” four times. Homestead High School contin- Gerharz, the head of the East team in the WBCA All-Star Classic, ues to be a summer power, under the leadership coach at Oshkosh and was a Lakeshore Conference Representa- of Millard. West High School tive. 1 Following his collegiate career, Kenosha Tremper Coach John Matera said, Vodenlich went on to play 2014 - brian gillogly “Coach Krehbiel’s team were classy, well pre- professionally in Europe, win- marian university pared, and competed with the highest integrity. ning the Slovenian National Gillogly has enjoyed one of He directly impacted the stature and respect of Championship in 1994. the most successful colle- Southeastern Wisconsin baseball.” giate coaching careers in the Vodenlich joined Jim Miller’s country. In 22 seasons as head UW-Whitewater coaching coach at both Marian College 2015 - bill miller staf as an assistant coach in and Luther College, Gillogly’s 1994 and stayed on the staf denmark teams won 13 conference until 1998, when he was named the head coach championships. He has been at Edgewood College. Vodenlich needed just two named Coach of the Year nine he head coach of Denmark seasons to change a losing program to a winning High School, Miller has led times. In his 12 years as head coach at Marian one, when Edgewood enjoyed its irst winning College, the Sabers won 11 conference cham- them to 339 wins and only 169 season in the program’s history. losses during his 23 years at the pionships. he Sabers had 11 seasons of 20 or helm. He has been involved at more wins, including six straight seasons with Following the 1999 season, Vodenlich returned 30 wins, never missing the postseason. Consid- all levels of baseball in the com- to Whitewater and rejoined Miller’s staf as an munity, coaching Little League ered one of the top teachers of the game in the assistant coach. He was named Miller’s successor country, Gillogly had amassed over 550 victo- and being very involved in their in 2004. youth board of directors. ries during his tenures at Marian and Luther College. His honors include being named NAIA Since then Vodenlich has won the WIAC Coach His teams have won seven Conference Titles, National Coach of the Year in 1995. Retired of the Year six times, been named the Wisconsin from coaching in 2014. seven Regional Titles, and have two WIAA College Coach of the Year four times, been named State appearances. He was a District Coach of the NCAA Division III Coach of the Year three 2014 -jeff hogan the Year in 2005. times, and led the Warhawks to two NCAA Divi- sion III National Championships. milwaukee hamilton Currently still active at Denmark. Hogan has coached baseball Vodenlich has also been a great ambassador of at Milwaukee Hamilton baseball in Europe, where he has led Internation- High School for 26 years, 2015 -mike simoens al Coaching seminars in seven diferent countries. including 23 seasons as head bay port Currently still active at UW-Whitewater. coach. During that stretch he has accumulated a record Ater serving as the JV of 334-171. he Wildcats coach at Bayport, Simoens 2015 - kip nordstrom have won nine conference took over the Varsity job in lodi championships, and made 1994. Success has followed 12 Sectional appearances. as his teams have put togeth- Nordstrom is one of the Hamilton has played in two State Tournaments er a record of 352-150 since few coaches in Wiscon- during his reign. Hogan has been named his arrival. sin history to win State Championships with Conference Coach of the Year eight times, and has also been named District Coach of the His teams have won seven two teams, winning in Year once. He has been actively involved in the Conference Titles, 16 Regional Championships, 1994 at Spencer High WBCA during his career and twice coached and have appeared in ten WIAA State Tourna- School, and in 2013 at in the All-Star Classic. A true model of strong ments. hey won State Titles in 2009 and 2010 Lodi High School. He character, Hogan was one of the most respected and inished runner-up in 2012. He was a State has been a varsity head coaches in the Milwaukee area. Many Milwau- Coach of the Year in 2010. coach for 28 years, post- ing a 396-183 record. kee baseball players, of all ages, have beneited from his commitment to baseball. Retired from He has been active in the area Little League and His teams have won Hamilton in 2015. Legion programs, helping bring about one of seven conference championships, nine Region- the strongest baseball areas in Wisconsin. al championships, and three Sectional champi- onships. His lone State Tournament appearance 2013 -jack brooks Currently still active at Bay Port. that did not result in a State Championship was rosholt a runner-up inish. Nordstrom has also worked baseball clinics throughout both Wisconsin Brooks has been the head 2015 -john vodenlich and Minnesota. His knowledge and passion coach at Rosholt High School uw-whitewater for baseball has resulted in success wherever for the past 26 years and he has coached. Being named as both Coach counting. He has accumulat- Although a young coach, Vodenlich has put of the Year, and to the Hall of Fame only verify ed a career record of 418-113 together an impressive resume that has put him Nordstrom’s value as a coach. Quit coaching at (.787), putting him 11th on into the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Hall of Lodi in 2015. the list for career victories Fame. by active coaches. His teams photo Travis Houslet / Daily Register have won several conference An All- American player at UW-Whitewater, championships, including the last four years in where he played from 1989-1992, Vodenlich a row, and have gone to the State Tournament inished with a .397 career batting average, in 2008, 2010, and 2011. hey were State Run- good for third all-time in school history. ner-up in 2008. Currently active at Rosholt.

2 conference crowns, 16 NCAA regional berths, in- Wilson served two years as WBCA President 2013 -steve leistico cluding nine straight from 1992-2000, six regional and has been the WBCA Treasurer since 2003. waterloo titles, third-place inishes in both the 1993 and Wilson retired from Seymour in 2014 with Leistico continued the 1994 NCAA Division III Baseball Championships 330 career victories in 31 years. He became an success that Art Westphal and fourth place in both 1995 and 1997. Schmidt assistant coach at Saint Norbert in 2014 and had started as head coach continues to coach at Carthage. continues to serve on the WBCA Executive at Waterloo for 27 years. 2012 -john galewski Board. He inished his career with 2012 -bill dettman a record of 355-195 (.645). south milwaukee He was named WBCA sauk prairie Coach of the Year in 1999, For 24 years, Galewski has Dettman spent 33 years ater winning a DIII State Championship. He been the coach of the South coaching the Sauk Prairie also led his team to State in 1985, 2003, and Milwaukee Rockets. At Eagles, racking up over 2006, where they inished State Runner-up. the time of his induction, 330 wins. One of the Leistico served as a Conference Rep for 20 he had accumulated over classiest coaches around, years. Retired as coach at Waterloo ater the 340 wins. His accomplish- Dettman had been a 2012 season. ments include one Confer- proud member of the ence Championship, nine WBCA for years and 2013 - joe loizzo Sectional appearances, and served as a conference beaver dam legion in 1996, a State Championship. Galewski has representative for many seasons. Although coached over 70 seasons, including football Sauk Prairie is smaller than many schools Loizzo is best known for his and basketball, as well as baseball. He has run in the Badger North Conference, Dettman’s work as Beaver Dam Legion many clinics around the Milwaukee area, has teams had managed to win their share of Con- coach, compiling a record of twice coached in the Jim Gantner Classic, and ference titles. Dettman retired in 2011. 591-185 (.761). His Legion the WBCA All-Star Classic. Galweski is South teams won State Champion- Milwaukee baseball. He continues to be the 2011 - pete drexler ships in 1982, 1984, and 2001. head coach at South Milwaukee. hey were State Runners-up in lomiria 2004 and 2011. Beaver Dam 2012 -terry petrie Legion has made a total of 13 State Tournament Drexler has been the head appearances. He took over as head coach at uw-stout coach at Lomira since 1980. Beaver Dam High School in 2012 from Hall of He had accumulated 302 wins Fame coach Charlie McDonald. He continues When Petrie retired in 2000, at the time of his induction. to coach both Beaver Dam High School and the he held the record for career His teams had won six Flyway Beaver Dam Legion team. wins in the WSUC, with 537 Championships, made ive victories. He began coaching Sectional appearances, and at UW–Stout in 1971. During won a State Championship in 2013 - jerry raether that time, he was named the 1991. A coaching career that began when he College Coach of the Year was still in school at Oshkosh High School, campbellsport twice by the WBCA. He also Drexler continues to be involved with the Raether successfully built earned two WSUC Coach of development of young baseball players in the and led the Campbellsport the Year awards, as well as being named by the Lomira-heresa area by running free baseball Cougars program for 21 years. NAIA as their Coach of the Year in 1989. He clinics. His father-in-law, Harlan Quandt, was He inished his career record coached the Stout Blue Devils to seven North- a charter member of the WBCA Hall of Fame. with a 397-233. He guided his ern Championships, and two WSUC Champi- Still active at Lomira. teams to the State Tourna- onships. Fiteen of coach Petrie’s players were ment in 1996, 1997, and 2000, named All-American, and four reached the pro- 2011 -tom brandon inishing State Runner-up fessional ranks. Retired ater the 2000 season. racine case in 1997, which is impressive considering that Campbellsport has an enrollment under 500. Over a 24 year coaching Raether, one of the classiest men in Wisconsin career at Racine Case High baseball, served as a Conference Rep for the 2012 -tom wilson School, Brandon posted a Eastern Wisconsin Conference for the past 20 280-199 record. Under his years. Raether retired from coaching in 2012. seymour leadership, the Eagles won Wilson, coaching the Seymour six Conference Titles, ive hunder, was not only one Regional titles, and made one 2013 -augie schmidt of the top coaches in Wis- State appearance. In addition carthage college consin, but is also one the to coaching baseball, he also most involved coaches in the coached football, basketball, and track. For several years, he was an instructor at UW-River Schmidt has compiled a WBCA. As a coach, Wilson’s Falls Hitting Camp. He was also the coordina- 781-321 record in 25 years teams have won six Confer- tor of the Racine Youth Baseball Clinic for 15 at Carthage College, a .708 ence Championships and made 11 Sectional years, as well as coaching Legion Baseball in career winning percentage. appearances. During the 2011 campaign, Racine. Under his tenure, Carthage Wilson earned his 300th career victory. He has claimed eight outright has coached Team Wisconsin in the Midwest CCIW divisional titles, one Classic, twice coached in the Jim Gantner divisional-title tie, nine Classic, and in the WBCA All-Star Classic. 3 Titles and made ive Sectional appearanc- 2011 -george sabol 2010 -dan heinritz es. hey made the State Tournament once, johnson creek appleton east the only time in Juneau history. Six times Schmitz was named City Coach of the Year. For 37 seasons, Sabol had Heinritz had been the head He also served with the ’ been the head coach at John- coach at Appleton East for youth camps for 13 years. Schmitz passed son Creek. He earned his over 20 years. One of the away in 2009. 400th career victory in 2010, most successful programs and retired in 2011 with 420 in Wisconsin, in one of 2009 -tom lechnir career victories. His Blue the toughest conferences Jays won the State Champi- in Wisconsin, he logged uw-oshkosh onship in 2007. He ranks over 300 career victories 17th in career coaching with the Patriots. His Lechnir is the winnin- victories and won Coach of resume included a DI State gest baseball coach in the Year Awards in both the Championship in 1996. He also served as the WIAC history. In the Eastern Suburban Conference and the Trailways Appleton South Side Little League commis- 19 seasons leading up Conference. He had helped hundreds of players sioner, coached in the All-Star Classic, and is to his induction, he develop a love of the game, some of whom have a member of the UW-La Crosse Hall of Fame. had a career record of become coaches themselves. He retired in 2010. 594-194. His winning percentage of .753 2011 -joe waite 2010 -dip dade ranked third among cumberland tomah active NCAA DIII coaches. Prior to being the head coach at UW-Oshkosh, he played Dade has coached at various levels since the for the Titans for four seasons and was Waite is best known for late 1950’s. He coached at Tomah High School an assistant coach for six seasons. he his work with Baseball for nearly 40 years, as both a head coach and Mosinee native had a hand in 21 WIAC Wisconsin, which he assistant coach. He followed that with 10 Championships, 17 trips to the NCAA continues to write and edit seasons at Sevastopol. A veteran of the Korean Division III World Series, and two NCAA for 23 years and counting. War, and a member of the Milton College Hall Division III National titles. He wrote and maintains of Fame, Dip also spent three seasons pitching baseballwisconsin.com in the Cubs organization. His inluence is 2009 -robin schrank and has written the WBCA still being felt by the students he taught and greendale All-Star Classic program coached. Dip Dade truly let a mark on base- since 1990. He was named ball in Wisconsin. WBCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2000 In 20 seasons as the head coach at Green- and WBCA Man of the Year in 1995. Every dale, Schrank’s teams posted a record of copy of Baseball Wisconsin was accepted into 375-226, averaging over 18 wins per season. the MLB Hall of Fame library in 2012. A middle 2010 -john paulin Under his leadership, the Panthers won six school social studies teacher, Waite at times was lancaster Conference Titles, made eight Sectionals, coaching three sports and was the Cumberland and made ive trips to the State Tournament. School District Webmaster and yet still managed “Jack” Paulin began his coaching career at In those ive State Tournament appearances, to complete the projects that he does for the Gays Mills High School, (now known as North Schrank’s teams were silver medalists once WBCA. He was Mark Fuller’s varsity assistant Crawford). His was an era when baseball was and won State Titles in 1980, 1987, and 1995. coach at Cumberland for 23 years, being part of not only played in the spring but in the fall He also coached in the All-Star Classic and eight Conference Championships and two State as well. Ater four seasons, Paulin became was a speaker at the WBCA State Clinic. appearances. he Beavers had only one losing Lancaster’s head coach, leading them on an 1995 was Greendale’s last appearance at season during that time. Currently the head impressive run, including six conference titles State. coach at Prairie Farm and continues to serve as and three State Tournament appearances. All 2009 -mark simon WBCA’s Publications Director, in charge of base- told, his teams won 12 Conference Champi- ballwisconsin.com, Baseball Wisconsin, and the onships and played in ive State Tournaments, dc everest All-Star Classic Program. 2016 marked his 30th going 254-112 in the process. Beyond wins, Following a brief career year as a coach and 25th year serving the WBCA. he also impacted the lives of the many young in the Twins organization, men he coached. Simon began his teach- 2011 -dick iverson ing career at DC Everest rib lake High School in Schoield. 2010 -john schmitz He spent 19 years as the Iverson, entering his 32nd year in 2015 as the milwaukee juneau junior varsity coach before head coach at Rib Lake High School has a spending the next 19 years 2014 career record of 404-164, and was 356- Schmitz coached for 37 years, as the varsity head coach. 129 at the time of his induction. During that 19 of them at the now closed In those 19 years, DC Everest compiled a time, Rib Lake had never had a losing season. Milwaukee Juneau High mark of 268 wins and only 92 losses. hey His teams have won seven Conference Cham- School. Despite being a small made three trips to State under Simon’s pionships and made one State Tournament ap- school competing against guidance. In addition to coaching at both pearance. He has coached at every level in Rib other city schools with much the junior varsity and varsity level, he Lake, tee-ball through Legion, a program that higher enrollments, Schmitz’s spent many years coaching the Everest he started and is still running 20 years later. teams posted a 238-132 Adult semi-pro team and Legion team. He Four of his former players are head coaching record during his career. Juneau won six City retired in 2004. at other schools in Wisconsin. Currently still active at Rib Lake. 4 2009 -pete swanson during his career came when he led Whitewa- ter to State Championships in 1993, 1995, and 2007 -pat reilly viroqua legion 1999. Very active in the WBCA, Held was a dodgeville Conference Rep and the East representative to Swanson had posted Reilly has coached baseball at various levels in the All-Star Classic. a 161-128 record as Dodgeville for 47 years. He has worked at the the head coach at 2008 -rick hofeditz high school level for over 25 years, including Viroqua at the time nine as head coach, winning two conference of his induction ater beloit turner championships. He was the WBCA Amateur serving many years Hofeditz was the head coach at Baseball Coach of the Year in 1996. In a com- as the junior varsity the Beloit Turner High School munity ceremony in 2002, the local baseball coach. His teams won for 20 years. During that time, ield was renamed “Reilly Field.” three Coulee titles the Trojans won 313 games and two Regional titles during that time. while losing only 93. hey won 2006 -jay buckley However, he is best known for his work 10 Conference Championships, la crosse central with the Viroqua Legion Program. In three Sectional Championships, Buckley was an assistant coach at La Crosse 33 years leading into 2009, they had won and one State Championship. Central for 29 years, winning 18 Conference over 900 games (Swanson got his 1000th He was named Conference Coach of the Year Championships, and making 15 trips to State victory in 2013), and played in 15 State eight times and was the WBCA Coach of the Tournament, winning two State Champion- Legion Tournaments. Viroqua won State Year in 2001. He retired in 2008. ships. He also coached the La Crosse Juniors Legion Class A Championships in 1991, 2008 -richard sykes for 22 years,winning a National Title in 1986. 2004, and 2005. Currently still active as He was the director of the Stars of Tomorrow Viroqua High School and Legion head nicolet Tournament for 16 years. Since 1982 he has run coach. A former All-State player, as well as a former player at UW- Jay Buckley Baseball Tours, the biggest baseball 2008 -tom bennett Parkside, Sykes had coached tour group in the United States. madison memorial at Bay View and Nicolet High 2006 -ernie krogman Schools for over 30 years, accu- Bennett was head coach at mulating 563 career victories at cazenovia Madison Memorial for 30 years. his retirement in 2013. While Krogman began his head coach- His teams posted 392 wins in at Nicolet, Sykes led the Knights ing career at Cazenovia High the tough Big Eight Conference, to ive Conference Championships and reached School, which later consolidated which included ive Confer- the State Tournament three times. Nicolet won to become Weston High School. ence Championships. Under the Summer State title in 1998. He is third He also coached at St.Francis Bennett’s leadership, Memorial all-time in career victories among summer High School. During his 12 won State Championships in 1990 and 1992. coaches. He retired in 2013. years at Cazenovia/Weston, his He was named the Big Eight Coach of the teams earned eight Conference Year ive times and the WBCA Coach of the 2007 -gene mand Championships, including seven Year twice. Bennett was a team captain for undefeated conference seasons. During that the Wisconsin Badgers during his collegiate manitowoc time his teams posted a 109-24 record. hey career. He retired in 2008. Mand coached baseball for 33 years, with 23 of them as head made ive sectional appearances, and went to 2008 -joe braun coach at Manitowoc Lincoln the State Tournament in 1957 and 1962, a great High School. His career accomplishment for a small school at that time. neenah record is 223-199, which in- A graduate of Algoma High cludes ive conference cham- School, Braun played football pionships, 11 appearances in 2006 -mike dee and baseball at UW – River sectionals, and a trip to the la crosse aquinas/uic Falls. In 1934, he started the state in 1992. Mand was a two-time coach in baseball program at Frederic the All-Star Classic, and was honored twice Dee was the head coach at La High School, where he coached as the Fox River Valley Conference Coach of Crosse Aquinas for 7 years, until 1941. In 1949, he started the year. posting a record of 100-26. the baseball program at Neenah High School, hey won ive Conference where he coached until 1966. During that 17 2007 -pat neary Championships, appeared at year stretch, Neenah compiled a record of 115 oconomowoc State six times, and won three – 88, including ive FVA Conference Titles, Neary entered the 2007 season State Championship. In 1987 and a second-place inish in the 1966 State with over 300 wins under his Dee was the WBCA Coach of Tournament. Beloved by his former players, belt. His coaching career began the Year. For several years he was an assistant Braun passed away in 2014 at the age of 101. in 1970 as Oconomowoc’s coach at the University of Minnesota, before freshman coach.He has been becoming the head coach at the University 2008 -lynn held Oconcomowc’s head coach of Illinois-Chicago. He has led UIC to ive since1984. In addition to nine conference titles, and two NCAA berths. He whitewater conference championships, Neary’s teams continues to lead UIC as of 2014. For 21 years, Held was the head coach at have advanced to sectionals 10 times, and Whitewater High School. he Whippets reached the state level six times. hree times posted a 308-132 mark during his reign. His his teams placed second at state. Neary had teams won eight Conference Championships also coached twice in the All-Star Clas- and 11 Regional titles. he high water mark sic. Neary retired in 2010 with 339 career victories. 5 2006 -bruce erickson 2005 -larry villiard Strommen was the District V coach of the year in 1995, and coached in the WBCA All- appleton west-appleton north bruce Star game in 1990. In addition to coaching Erickson is one of the most successful high school Pecatonica High School, Strommen has also coached Babe Ruth baseball for 16 years, and baseball coaches in Wisconsin history. In 2005 he Villard was the head coach at Little League for ive years. Strommen has also reached the 500 win mark, posting a 500-119 record Weston High School for 16 a member of the MATC hall of fame where while coaching at Appleton West and Appleton years. For the past ten years he played baseball in 1973-74. He is currently North. His teams won 20 conference titles, appeared he has been the head coach active at Pecatonica. in sectionals 20 times, made 12 trips to the State at Bruce High School. His Tournament, and came home with four State Cham- teams have posted 314-141 pionships. Erickson has been named the WBCA record, which includes 14 2003 -jim miller Coach of the Year two times. He is a former Big Ten Conference Championships, uw-whitewater All-Conference shortstop. He retired in 2005. eight Sectional appearances, and two trips to State Tournament, including At the time of his induction, a 2nd place inish in 1982. Villiard began his Miller had been coaching for 2005 -tom armstrong coaching career as a 17 year old Legion Coach over 30 years. He had been park falls in Bruce. He retired at the end of 2015 with a the head coach at UW-White- record of 509-201, 6th all time in 2016. water for the past 16 years. Armstrong, SR., was a he Warhawks had won 381 head coach for 28 years, 2004 -dennis murphy games during that stretch, a 27 of them at Park Falls UW-Whitewater record. He had High School. During that black hawk been named College Coach of the Year by the time he posted a 404- Murphy was the Head Coach at Black Hawk WBCA three times. His teams received six 260 record. His teams High School for 36 years. During the summers, NCAA tournament bids. During the past 16 won none Conference he also helped coach the Darlington baseball years, coach Miller and his staf had turned Championships, and team, a job he held for 15 years. While at Black UW-Whitewater into one of the top 25 NCAA reached State four times, Hawk High School, Murphy had a record of Division III baseball schools in the country. including a runner-up 405 wins and 214 losses. He won 11 Conference He retired in 2003. in 1987. He was named Conference Coach Championships during that time. In 2000, Den- of the Year nine times. Park Falls renamed nis served as an All-Star coach for the WBCA 2003 -dennis overby their baseball ield ater homas Armstrong, All-Star Classic. Murphy is also a member of chetek Sr., and his wife Ann. Armstrong died sud- the Wisconsin State Football Coaches Hall of Overby had been involved with baseball his dently in 2000. His son, Tom, Jr., took over Fame. Black Hawk School’s football ield is entire life. Ater high school he played several the program. named “Dennis Murphy Field.” years of in the Milwau- kee Braves organizations. Upon the conclu- 2005 -gordie gillespie 2004-whitey steinagel sion of his playing career, Overby became ripon college mosinee head coach at Chetek High School. He had remained in that capacity for 32 years. For Steinagel served as Mosinee’s head coach for 21 Gillespie is the winningest his career, Overby has compiled a 318-254 years. His team won four Conference Cham- baseball coach in NCAA his- record, which includes two Conference titles, pionships, and made one appearance at State tory, entering the 2005 season six Sectional apperances, and one trip to State Tournament. During his 21 years at Mosinee, with over 1,600 wins. In nine Tournament. He retired in 2005 with 348 his team compiled a 218-123 record. Steina- years at Ripon College his wins. teams have made ive NCAA gel was twice named District II Coach of the Tournament appearances, and year, and was also an All-Star Classic Coach in 2003 -jerry toubl won ive Midwest Conference 1992. Steinagel was very active in the WBCA. Championships. Four times he has been He served for several years as a District Rep., wauwatosa east named MWC Coach of the Year. He is and was also a member of the WIAA Coaches Toubl had been coaching baseball for 23 years, considered one of the top baseball clinicians Advisory Committee. Steinagel has presented 22 of them as Head Coach of Wauwatosa in the country. Ater 59 years and a college several coaching clinics to Little League orga- East High School at the time of his induction. baseball-best 1,893 coaching victories, nizations. During his reign, Tosa East had won three Gillespie inally called it quits in 2011, at the Conference Titles and advanced to Sectionals age of 85. He died in 2015 at the age of 88. 2004-jim strommen six times. His teams made two State Tourna- pecatonica ment appearances and won the WIAA State Title in 1997, resulting in Toubl being named 2005 -mark gobler For the last 23 years Strom- the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Coach of the amery men has been the head coach Year. Toubl was a three time Conference Gobler coached baseball for 26 years, with 20 at Pecatonica High School. Coach of the Year, and has accumulated a of them as a head c oach. For 16 seasons he Entering the 2004 season, career record of 350-264. He retired in 2008 was the Head Coach at Amery High School. Strommen had a record of with 440 career victories. His career record is 341-170. His teams won 310 wins and only 107 losses. seven Conference Championships, and went During that time, Pecatonica to sectionals ten times. He also coached in has won seven Conference State Tournament three times, Gobler also Championships, and played served as the head coach at Eau Claire Regis, in Sectionals four times. and Moose Lake, Minnesota. 6 2002 -cy buker 2002 -tom lawrence 2000 -lee hlavka greenwood stoughton kenosha tremper Lawrence was the head coach at Stoughton for Buker was a high school 25 years. During that span his teams posted a Hlavka had been coaching baseball for 31 years head coach for 23 years. He 272-202 record. He coached Stoughton to six at the time of his induction. For 10 years he coached at Sturgeon Bay, Conference titles, three Sectional appearances, was the head coach at Kenosha St.Joseph’s, and Sevastopol, Greenwood, and one trip to the State Tournament. Law- for the past 19 he has been the head voach at Whitehall, Shullsburg, Eau rence has also coached the Stoughton Legion Kenosha Tremper. He has accumulated 376 Claire, Loyal, and Rib Lake. Team to two State Championships and was in wins during that span. Hlavka’s teams have During that span, Buker’s charge of State Ranking for Division 1 teams. won 14 conference titles, reached Sectionals 10 teams posted a record of times, and made State Tournament eight times. 260-85. His teams won 11 Conference Hlavka’s was named Milwaukee Area Conference Championships and nine Regional Champi- 2001 -steve block Coach of the Year in 1981 and 1984, coached in onships. Prior to Buker’s coaching career, he the irst All Star Classic in 1984, and was District was an outstanding player. He was a minor prescott-ellsworth VII Coach of the Year in 1990. In 1993 Hlavka’s league teammate of Jackie Robinson’s and Block was the head coach at conducted three baseball clinics in Hungary. He his career culminated in a stint with the Prescott High School for 14 years, had inished his career with 429 wins in 2003. Brooklyn Dodgers. Buker died in 2011 at winning eight Conference titles, the age of 92. with 10 Sectional appearanc- 2000 -ron kading 2002 -joe o’neill es, and three trips to the State potosi Tournament, including winning a wilmot union State Championship. His overall Kading had been the head Wilmot High School was blessed to have record at Prescott was 226-60 at the time of coach at Potosi High School for O’Neill as a coach for 27 years, with 24 of his 2001 induction. Block was named District the past 22 years at the time of them as head coach. Wilmot posted a 284- Coach of the Year twice. He served as District his induction. Prior to that he 94 record during O’Neill’s tenure. His teams Representative and was then named head coach served four years at Oshkosh won 13 Conference Titles, made Sectional at UW-River Falls. Ater UWRF dropped their North as a freshman coach, appearances 14 times, and played in the program, Block rejoined the high school coach- and three years as the head State Tournament four times. Wilmot’s ing ranks by taking the head coaching position coach of the Oshkosh Legion success resulted in O’Neill being named at Ellsworth. He had 359 career victories going team. While at Potosi, his Southern Lakes Conference Coach of the into the 2014 season, ater leading the Panthers teams have won 295 games, won 13 conference Year numerous times as well as All-Area to State Runner-Up in 2013. Going strong into titles, reached Sectionals 9 times, and played in Coach of the Year several times. 2016, he’s taken seven trips to the State Tourna- the State tournament twice, winning the State 2002 -brad sauve ment--ive with Prescott and two with Ellsworth, Championship in 1993. Kading has served the including one Gold Trophy and two Silvers. Still WBCA as a District Rep, served a term as Pres- spring valley active at Ellsworth. ident, and is currently in charge of the WBCA Sauve had been actively awards. In 1988 he was a coach in the All Star involved with the WBCA for 2001 -joe vitcenda Classic. In 1993 Kading was named Wisconsin’s many years. He has served Coach of the Year. Going into 2015, Kading had as a District Representative, royall 515 wins in 38 years, putting him ith all time among spring coaches. a term as President, and Vitcenda has been the head resided over the All-State coach for Royall High School 1999 -john ball Committee. Sauve had been for 32 years at the time of his coaching baseball for 22 years induction. His teams at Roy- new richmond at the time of his induction. For the past 21 all have compiled a 364-186 Ball had been the head baseball years he had been the head coach at Spring record during that period. coach at New Richmond High Valley. Spring Valley had posted a 210- Vitcenda’s teams have won School for 21 years at the time 153 record during that time, winning two 12 Conference titles, and of his induction. His teams Conference Championships, and making made three appearances in compiled 334 wins with six Sectionals once. He remained active as a Sectionals, culminating in a State Champi- state appearances, 12 sectional player, playing on one of Spring Valley’s onship in 1998. In addition to coaching high appearances, and 10 conference WBA teams. Currently active as the head school, Joe Vitcenda has also spent over 20 titles. Ball was the District I coach at Shell Lake. He had over 300 career years coaching Little League, Legion, and Se- Coach of the Year twice and victories while at Spring Valley. nior League levels. Going into 2014, Vitcenda coached in the irst All-Star Classic in 1984. He had 544 career victories entering his 45th 2001 -jeff beardsley was also the athletic director at New Rich- season, putting him 2nd all-time. Still active mond High School. He inished his career at palmyra-eagle at Royall. New Richmond with 532 wins during mostly Beardsley was the head coach at Palmyra- summer season coaching, putting him fourth Eagle High School for 26 years. During that all-time on that list. He served a two-year term time his teams compiled a 248-211 record, as WBCA President. He received the Ethics in with seven Conference titles, and appearing Coaching Award in 2015. Still active at Somer- in Sectionals three times. He was named Con- set. ference Coach of the Year six times. Beardsley served the WBCA as District Representative and for the past 11 years he had been the Secretary of the WBCA. 7 1999 -jack friess 1998 -don williams 1996 -don green cedarburg hortonville random lake Friess had coached baseball Williams has coached for Green had coached 28 years at Random for 22 years at the time of his 23 years, 18 of them as head Lake at the time of his induction. He also induction, the last 20 as head baseball coach at Hortonville served as Athletic Director, had coached coach at Cedarburg High School. High School at the time of football, and has also oiciated basketball His teams have won 316 games, his induction. His record for 26 years. In 1970, Green and his players appeared in 6 state tournaments of 288-65 with seven state built their own high school baseball ield-- and were state runners-up in appearances (state runner-up their “Field of Dreams.” He inished his 1997 and 1998. He took nine teams to the sec- in 1980 and Champions 1987 career with a record of 506-279 in 35 years. tionals and had 3 conference titles. Friess was and 1997), nine sectional ap- He was District IV Coach of the Year in the 1998 District VI Coach of the Year, was a pearances and 12 conference 1993 and coached in the All-Star Classic in WBCA clinic speaker in 1990, and coached in championships. He was an 1994. the 1992 WBCA All-Star Classic. He was the All-Star Classic coach in 1989, District IV Coach irst WBCA Ethics in Coaching Award winner of the Year in 1987 and was the 1997 WBCA State 1996 -ed krcmar in 2014. Going into 2014, he had 514 wins, Coach of the Year. Going into 2014, his inal year, ashwaubenon putting him ith all-time among summer Williams had 563 victories, putting him 1st all- coaches. He currently chairs the Summer All- time among spring coaches, and all-time as far as Although Krcmar had been coaching State Committee and coaches Cedarburg. is known. football for the past 30 years, he had also been busy coaching baseball for 23 years, 1997 -ken anderson the last 18 seasons as Ashwaubenon’s head 1998 -ted evans coach. His teams had won 222 games, seven new holstein Conference titles, and had eight Sectional mineral point Anderson had been a head baseball coach appearances. In 1985 he helped coach the Evans had been the head for 29 years, 28 of them at New Holstein at North All-Stars. Krcmar had been a WBCA baseball coach at Mineral the time of his induction. He has compiled a member for 23 years, serving as district rep, Point High School for 23 408-251 record with nine state appearances, secretary, 1st & 2nd Vice President, Assis- years from 1972-1995. His 12 sectional appearances and 10 conference tant Clinic Director, Awards Chairman, teams compiled 250 wins titles. He helped coach the 1994 North All- and Clinic Coordinator. He had coached with two conference titles, Star squad in the WBCA All-Star Classic numerous teams in the Ashwaubenon Little ive sectional appearances, and helped develop and design their current League, as well as JV and Varsity Legion; and one state appearance in baseball diamond. 1974. Evans was a coach in some summers coaching as many as three the 1987 All-Star Classic played in Milwaukee or four teams. County Stadium. 1997 -earl lochner 1996 -fred yagodinski middleton luxemburg-casco 1998 -jim glenn Lochner had been head baseball coach at Mid- In his 29 years of coaching at Luxem- dleton High School for 22 years at the time of burg-Casco, Yagodinski had helped develop stratford his induction. His record is 251-125 with one their baseball program from the ground up. Glenn was the head baseball coach at Strat- State appearance, nine Sectional appearanc- He helped set up Little League, Babe Ruth, ford High School for 25 years. His record es and 10 Conference titles. In 1989 he was and Legion baseball at L-C and Kewaunee is 261-128 with one state appearance, three the District V Coach of the Year and he had County. During that time, his Spartan teams sectional appearances and seven conference coached in the WBCA All-Star Classic. have won 278 games and seven conference titles. He was a District II Representative for hree players he coached went on to coach titles, and they have appeared in ive Section- seven years, a District II Coach of the Year high school baseball. als and one State Tournament. He coached in and has coached at the Midwest Baseball the WBCA All-Star Classic and has had three School in Plymouth, Indiana. of his players sign professional contracts. He 1997 -leon piddington retired in 2011 ater 38 years, with a career record of 348-222. sun prairie 1998 -ralph sobota Piddington had been coaching for 32 years, 1995 -john cibrario alma center 27 of these years as a head baseball coach. He Sobota had coached for 37 years, 28 of them spent 30 years coaching in Sun Prairie and kenosha bradford as head baseball coach of Alma Center accumulated over 300 victories during that In 31 years of coaching, Cibrario had dis- Lincoln High School. His teams compiled a span. His teams made State appearances in tinguished himself among his peers for his 312-180 record with three state appearances, 1966, 1974 and 1981. His 1974 team was State dedication to the game. During this span, seven sectional appearances and 10 confer- champs and Piddington was then named 1974 his Bradford teams had won 309 games and ence championships. He was instrumental in State Coach of the Year for his eforts. He was won eight titles in the old South Shore and starting Little League baseball at Alma Center, twice Big Eight Coach of the Year and received Big Nine Conference while advancing to the umpired baseball for 10 years and played the UW-Platteville Distinguished Alumnus Sectional level on six occasions. Twice he professional baseball for one year at Omaha plaque. Piddington was a WBCA member for was honored by his colleagues as conference in the St.Louis Cardinals farm system. 25 years. Coach of the Year. Besides coaching at the high school level, Cibrario had also directed the Kenosha team in the Land ’o Lakes for ten years and been associated with Little League

8 and Pony League on the local level. He had been Coach of the Year ive times and was chosen coach Summer Tournament seven times. His in- actively involved in the WBCA as District VI in the irst WBCA All-Star Classic in 1983. Ater volvement in baseball spans over forty years, Representative since 1985 and has been selected four years of high school baseball, Wendorf played since 1952, when he marched in a parade to to coach in the All-Star Classic. at UW- Stevens Point where he was named MVP welcome the Milwaukee Braves to town. As a before being drated and playing two years in the player, he lettered for four years at Milwau- Twins organization. During his tenure at Pacelli, he kee Rufus King H. S., was chosen to play 1995 -mark fuller was also actively involved with the operations of the in the Milwaukee Sentinel Sliver Sluggers cumberland WISAA tournament held each year in Point. From All-Star game, and captained the UW-Mil- 1979-1987 he assisted in the running of the afair waukee squad in 1965. At his inal game as Fuller retired from and served in the leadership role from 1988 until a coach last summer in Stevens Point, ater Cumberland High moving to Ashwaubenon. his team won the State Championship, he School as one of the literally took of his spikes for good and laid most successful coach- 1994 -jim hughes them on home plate. es in the State, with a record of 482 244, franklin good for 9th all-time. A man of many hats, 1994 -joe zolecki He won 10 Confer- Hughes is also currently the ence Championships Athletic Director at Milwau- milw. saint thomas more and made four State kee Washington H.S. where In 34 years of coaching, twenty of those appearances during his he also began his baseball in baseball, Zolecki has become a famil- 34 year tenure. He is coaching career twenty-two iar igure in the Milwaukee Area and has perhaps even better known for his role with years ago. In fact, he is distinguished himself among his colleagues. the WBCA. For the past 20+ years, he has put one of the few coaches in He had been a member of the WBCA since together the Annual WBCA State Clinic, was Wisconsin who coached a its formative years, he began the baseball a founding member and continues to work spring league and a summer program at homas More when the school, with the WBCA All-Star Classic, worked with team during the same season, splitting duties a merging of two small all-boys schools, State Rankings and helped found Baseball between Washington and Franklin in the late Pio Nono and Don Bosco, was opened in Wisconsin along with his long time assistant 80’s. In seven years at Franklin, his squads have the 70’s. Originally the head football coach coach Joe Waite. His contributions to Wiscon- compiled a 196-46 record (.807) while winning at Pio Nono and a collegiate star himself, sin Baseball are immeasurable. He continues 5 conference crowns and making it to the state Zolecki was let without a gridiron job ater to procure the speakers for the WBCA State on 3 occasions. Hughes coached in the Classic in the merger and snatched the opportunity Clinic and chair the West Team for the All- 1989 and has been very active as a member of the to build a baseball team from scratch. His Star Classic. Board of the Franklin Little League. Formerly a teams reached the WISAA tourney thirteen basketball assistant at Washington, he played his 1995 -bob suter times since, inishing as runners up in 1980, prep ball at Milwaukee West. Still active at Frank- 1990, and 1993 and winning it all in 1991. janesville craig lin, he owns Wisonsin’s record in most coaching His teams have also won six Metro Con- Since 1965, Suter had been coaching Babe victories. Ruth, Legion and High School ball in ference Crowns while amassing 270 wins. Janesville. His Craig teams had compiled a 1994 -doc koehler In the summer of 1983, Zolecki joined his 323-139 record over that span, winning nine reedsburg friend Jim Hughes and took over another conference crowns and traveling to the State struggling program, this one South Mil- Ater two years at Mellen High School, Koehler Tournament eight times where they captured waukee H.S., taking a team that had not moved to Reedsburg, where he spent the past back-to-back titles in 1983 and 1984. He had won a title in 17 years and building a highly twenty-eight years. During this span his teams been selected Coach of the Year eight times respected program that eventually won a have won almost three hundred games and six in his league and won the WBCA honor in crown in 1987. Conference Championships and advancing to 1984. For the past quarter-century, Suter the WIAA Sectionals thirteen times. Koehler’s had also coached football and basketball. charges had also been to State once. In 1987, His baseball teams have never inished 1993 -earl gengler he was given the honor of coaching the South lower than 4th place in their league. In 1968, team in the annual All-Star Classic. He has also brown deer he coached the Post 205 team to the State served as a District Rep and as a volunteer at the An original oicer of the WBCA, Gengler Championship and advanced to the Missouri Classic. He has been very helpful with the Little began his career as an assistant coach to regional before losing. He retired in 2004 League programs in his area, running clinics fellow Hall of Famer Murray Denemark of with a career record of 468-215 during a 37 and donating time for tournaments. Koehler Milwaukee Custer before moving to Brown year span. had been also named as past recipient of District Deer in 1969. As a player, Gengler was a Coach of the Year award. Koehler died in 2006 at four-year starter, letterwinner, and co-cap- 1995 -greg wendorf the age of 64. tain at UWM where he was enshrined into stevens point pacelli the UWM Hall of Fame in 1980. At Brown 1994 -gary perkins Deer, his squads have won 349 games, Before becoming the current Athletic including two WIAA State Titles in 1975 and Director at Ashwaubenon High School in west bend east 1977, and runners-up in 1982. He coached Green Bay, Wendorf led his Pacelli teams A former secretary of the WBCA, from 1976- the East Squad in the irst All-Star Classic to a 205-114 record in his eighteen years of 78, Perkins had become one of the winningest in 1984 and also assisted with Wisconsin’s coaching at the High School. His charges coaches in Wisconsin prep annals, compiling National AAU Championship team in 1988. won six Central Wisconsin Catholic Con- a 411-153 in his 23 years as the head coach at ference titles in that span advancing to the East. During this span, his team had won six WISAA tournament ten times, winning conference titles, advanced to the WIAA Sec- it all in 1974. He was selected Conference tionals twelve times, and appeared in the State 9 1993 -russ lund 1993 -larry sommerville 1992 -tom konowalski gale-etrick-trempealeau hayward milwaukee tech Counting football, basketball, track, sotball Sommerville began his 31st year at the and baseball, when Lund inally hung up his controls of the Hurricanes the season of his 1991 -tom grafenauer well-worn spikes, he had spent an incredible induction. Over the last three decades, his 72 seasons as a head coach and 24 seasons teams have won 325 games while losing only whitnall as an assistant. Lund, who had also been 169 and capturing nine Heart O’North con- Grafenauer was an outstanding player at Mil- inducted into both the Football and Basketball ference championships. In 1968, Sommerville waukee Don Bosco H. S. (now homas More) Coaches Hall of Fames, began his career at guided his school to its only WIAA State and UW-La Crosse. He was an extremely Tomah where he spent two years coaching Tournament appearance. Also the school’s successful coach at St. Francis High School and baseball. Ater a short stint there, he moved basketball coach, he was chosen in the 1991 Whitnall High School. Unsure of his career to Markesan, where he coached baseball for All-Star Classic in Appleton. He retired in record, it would probably rank in the top ive six years and started their track program. He 2000 with a career record of 384-230 that all time. His teams - before they joined the completed his career at Gale-Ettrick-Trem- spanned a 38 year career. WIAA tournament - usually played 50 + games peauleau, where he coached another 22 years, per year and won most of them. 18 in baseball. His teams compiled a 343-108 Most importantly, he was one of the founding record during his 25 year coaching career. 1992 -dan madden fathers of the WHSBCA along with Jim Martin, His teams won 13 Conference titles and made janesville parker Tom Meyer, and Tex Belich. He was the irst seven trips to the State Tournament. hey clinic director of our organization, conducting inished runner-up in 1984. the clinic from 1970 until 1975. 1993 -tom nygaard 1992 -george roman appleton xavier stevens point 1991 -larry mcginley In 15 years at Xavier, Nygaard distinguished During his time at SPASH platteville himself as one of the hardest working coaches as head baseball coach, in the state. As a coach, he led his teams to Roman had amassed 1991 -tim o’driscoll the WISSA Tourney 11 times, twice capturing a 420-110 record with State titles. Nygaard was also very active with several conference and arrowhead the WBCA. Chosen as Man of the Year in tournament champion- 1996 for his work in starting the All-Star Clas- ships, including the state O’Driscoll is 2nd among sic, he also served as President of the WBCA baseball title in 1979, summer coaches in and later on as Treasurer. He authored two 1987, and 1989, as well as career victories with a articles for Scholastic Coach and three times state runner-up in 1984. record of 742-334 in has been published in the ABCA Coaching Overall career-wise, his teams won 60 cham- a career that spanned Digest. pionships: 17 conference, 29 regional, 11 from 1979 to 2009. sectional, and the above mentioned SPASH O’Driscoll continues to 1993 -marty paulsen state baseball championships. His teams be the oicial scorer for made eleven trips to the Wisconsin State the Milwaukee Brewers. fond du lac Baseball Tournament. He served as a West He chaired the East Paulsen had been the All- Star Summer Classic baseball coach in Team for the All-Star Classic for several head coach at Fond 1988 and again in 2003. Roman was a ive- years as well. He retired in 2011. du Lac for 24 seaons time nominee for Wisconsin Coach of the at the time of his Year, named District II Coach of the year in 1990 -don hawkins induction. His teams 1987, 1988, 1989 and was named Wisconsin had made four WIAA State High School Coach of the Year in 1989. appleton legion Tournament appear- He was also involved with Legion and Ste- ances up to that point vens Point Youth Baseball (SPYBA) teams. and won nine Regional Roman is considered the dean of Wisconsin 1990 -george husby titles. His Cardinals baseball coaches with 526 wins and 180 sturgeon bay legion won the FVA seven times in the irst 12 years losses; which until the spring of 2013, was in the conference. Paulsen has been active in the highest number of career wins for spring the WBCA and currently serves as facilities baseball in the state of Wisconsin. Roman director. He at times had chaired the All-State died in 2014. 1990 -joe thompson Selection Committee. He, along with his good west allis friend Mark Fuller, have traveled across the 1992 -charlie mcdonald United States and Canada presenting at base- ball clinics. As of 2016, he entered his 48th beaver dam 1990 -frank thornton year as head coach with a record of 547-370, putting him 3rd on the All-Time list for career la crosse central victories, spring coaches. Still active at Fond 1992 -ray seibel du Lac and as WBCA’s Secretary. winnebago lutheran 1989 -arlyn colby barron

10 1989 -william graf 1987 -JACK TORRESANI 1985 -KEN KIRBY brookfield central WAUSAU EAST UMPIRE-edgerton At one time, one of the most recognizable igures on the baseball scene in Wisconsin, 1988 -dale mcreynolds Kirby was oten quoted as saying, “When scout-walworth 1986 -JAMES MASON you’re an umpire you only have to know seven words: ball, strike, fair, foul, safe, out, VIROQUA and time. hat’s it.” If only it were that easy 1988 -tom meyer Ater an illustrious to sum up his contributions to the game in career as a high school Wisconsin. He had done it all. He umpired uw-madison athlete in La Crosse and oiciated high school and collegiate where he was picked as games in football, basketball, and baseball; MVP in the 1951 Le- he umpired in the minor leagues and even 1987 -ted baumgarten gion State Tournament had a brief stint in the Big Leagues. It is es- sauk prairie and was named Athlete timated that Kirby had oiciated or umpired of the Year at Central in over 13,000 games at all levels during his A Baraboo native, High School in 1952, half-century of involvement. He had worked Baumgarten coached 20 Mason attended UW-La Crosse where in the WIAC and the Big Ten, numerous seasons at Prairie du Sac he won eight varsity letters in football WIAA and WISSA State Championships, (1956 - 1963) and Sauk and baseball. Ater college, he began and even State Semi-Pro games. He is the Prairie (1964 - 1975) teaching and coaching in Viroqua, only umpire ever enshrined into the WBCA ater Prairie du Sac and where he compiled a 223-136 record Hall of Fame and was honored by having Sauk City consolidated. in 30 years at the time of his induction. the State Umpire Year of the Year Award During that time, he was His teams won six Coulee Champi- renamed the Ken Kirby Umpire of the Year a part-time scout for the onships and were State Runners-Up Award ater his death. In all his years as an . He twice. In 1957 as coach of the La Crosse umpire, there is one thing he never did... had also served on the Legion team, he led his players to a throw someone out of a game. More than WIAA Board of Control. He was Superintendent 2nd place inish in the State Finals. He anything else, that speaks to what made Ken of the Eleva-Strum school district before his coached in the WHSBCA All-Star series special...his demeanor, control, and poise- retirement at the end of the 1985-1986 school in 1975. He also served as Commis- and his ever present smile. Kirby, slowed by year. Baumgarten played baseball for four years at sioner of the Southwest Athletic League ill-health, came back to umpire for his 51st the University of Wisconsin. In 1952, he inished and as an associate scout for the Royals. season in the summer of 1994. 11th in the Big Ten with an average of .356. Mason died in 2011 at the age of 77. 1985 -red oberbrunner His teams won eight Conference Championships, four State appearances when there was only a uw-parkside single WIAA Division, and a career record of 1986 -Bill Terry UW-Parkside’s baseball facility is known as 202-77 (.724). UW-La Crosse Oberbruner Field, named ater the late Ken “Red” Oberbruner, who coached the Rangers Terry began his coaching from 1970-1991. Oberbruner posted a 244- career at Maxwell, Iowa 1987 -tom o’connell 196 record at UW-Parkside to go with his before moving to Westby 657-323 lifetime record. Milw. Pualski-burlington catholic High School where he Going into the 2014 season, spent eight years. In 1968, he became the Prior to his time as a Ranger, Oberbruner O’Connell got his 500th head coach at UW-La Crosse. During the coached for some 23 years at the former victory, just the 7th spring next eleven seasons, his teams compiled Milton College, in Milton, Wisconsin. From coach in history to get 500 a 113-39 record in WSUC games and 1959-1980, he served as a scout for the or more career victories. were 199-146 overall. In 1979, his inal Pittsburgh Pirates, signing 24 players to major His record stands at 503- season as coach, Terry guided the Indians league contracts. 388 for a career that started to a ith place inish in the NAIA World in 1974. O’Connell, one Series ater winning the WSUC with a As an athlete, Oberbruner played in both the of just 24 High School 12-1 mark. In all, his teams won seven NBA (Fort Wayne Pistons) and in profession- coaches to be inducted into WSUC titles. Terry was also known as a al baseball (St. Louis Browns). He graduated the ABCA Hall of Fame, top clinician, appearing several times at from Notre Dame in 1940, where he excelled is a former WBCA and ABCA President. He WHSBCA clinics. He led a spirited efort in both basketball and baseball. has traveled the world promoting baseball and is that successfully saved UW-La Crosse considered one of Wisconsin’s greatest baseball baseball in 2010 and was named the La Oberbruner, who resided in Burlington, ambassadors. His Burlington Catholic Central Crosse Tribune Sportsman of the Year Wisconsin, passed away in September of teams won DIV State titles in 2004, 2005, 2008, that same year. 2010, and 2011. Currently active as a volunteer 1991. On February 23, 1997, Oberbruner was assistant at Saint Francis. inducted into the UW-Parkside Athletic Hall 1986 -emil belich of Fame. His jersey “No. 1” was subsequently retired and is commemorated with a sign on scout-west allis the outield wall of the facility which bears his name. UW-Parkside, parksiderangers.com

11 He was the head coach of the East team All-Star 1985 - jim price classic in 1985. hree players (Paul Wagner 1983 - ron unke waunakee (Germantown) Lance Painter (Nicolet) and Beaver wisconsin lutheran Bruett (Oconomowoc) on this team later went on to play in the major leagues. He served as WHSB- Over his 36-year teaching career, Price devoted CA Secretary for one term. 1982 - robert douglass 35 years as a high school head coach in three diferent sports: baseball, basketball and mukwonago He played baseball, football, basketball and ran football. However, his true calling came as a track at West Allis Nathan Hale, graduating in baseball coach. In his 25 years as head baseball 1982 - ron wahoske 1953. He also played American Legion ball and coach at Waunakee (21 years), Brillion, Elroy in the Milwaukee Classic League for he Highway ripon and Blanchardville high schools, Price amassed Beer Depot. He was a three-year letterman at the a total of 237 wins, against only 94 losses, and a Wahoske was the coach at Ripon High School University Wisconsin - Madison, earning an All- winning percentage of .716. Along the way his from 1956-1993. His record was 365-248. He Big Ten 3rd team selection at third base in 1956. teams won 12 conference championships and had 13 conference championships, 14 regional made four state tournament appearances. Price championships, 2 sectional championships and also spent eight years as a basketball coach, one state title in 1988. including three in Waunakee, and two years as a 1983 - rusty tiedemann football coach. uw-oshkosh 1981 - george holland 1985 - otto ruf nekoosa Tiedemann coached the Titans darlington from 1968-69 and 1971-88, building the program into a 1981 -james martin national power. He was at the wisconsin lutheran 1984 - frank benevides helm for one national champi- greenfield onship, 15 conference titles and 1981 -james nirschl more than 500 victories. Benevides started coaching in Greenield in 1961, kimberly leading the Hustling Hawks to Summer State in Tiedemann led UW Oshkosh 1965, 1979, 1983 and 1984. His team won the to 10 straight WIAC championships from 1979- 1980 -tex belich State Championship in 1983. 88. He also guided the Titans to eight NCAA Division III World Series appearances and three west allis hale NAIA World Series visits. 1984 - hubert diekvoss 1980 -john polsczyncki campbellsport In 1985, UW-Oshkosh became the irst school from Wisconsin to win the NCAA Division III milwaukee juneau 1984 - fred peterson Baseball World Series. oconto falls UW-Oshkosh concluded the 1985 season with a 1980 -andy smith 37-3 record. Tiedemann, who recorded his 400th kenosha tremper Peterson led his team to a State Championship in and 401st coaching victories at the World Series, 1973. was named NCAA Division III Coach of the Year In 1954, Smith, a Wausau following his team’s performance. He also was native and UW graduate, 1983 - jim brown selected as the NAIA Coach of the Year in 1974. ielded Kenosha High wausau west School’s irst baseball Tiedemann concluded his 20-year base- team and success was ball-coaching career at UW Oshkosh with a instantaneous. he inau- 1983 - richard hrlevich 501-165-2 record. His win total and .748 winning gural KHS team inished milwaukee hamilton percentage both rank third in WIAC history. second at State. Eight years later, Smith guided KHS to another UW-Oshkosh named its baseball ield ater Tiede- runner-up inish. A year later, KHS Milwaukee Hamilton’s irst mann on May 7, 1989. varsity baseball coach from and Smith inally reached the top and 1967 through 1990. captured the State championship, a feat He passed away in November of 2015. he would repeat in 1969 ater moving to During Hrlevich’s 24 years Tremper. During a 10-year span, he won of coaching, he had 356 1983 - richard huxtable 82 percent of his games. In his 21 years wins, 143 losses, 9 ties with nicolet as a baseball coach in Kenosha, Smith a .713 winning percentage. put together 18 winning seasons. Smith guided Kenosha High School and Trem- Hamilton teams won 9 1983 - bill martin per to six State Tournament appearances conference titles (3 of them in the big nine con- oconomowoc between 1953 and 1973. Kenosha High ference with the Racine and Kenosha schools) won its irst title under Smith in 1963 and ive division titles, six second-place inishes, Tremper won its lone state championship and one state appearance. 1983 - ken trott under Smith in 1969. Smith also coached three state runner-up squads. He died in westby 2003. 12 1979 - don rennicke 1979 - harlan quandt 1979 - john bartelt homestead oshkosh north marion Quandt was Oshkosh baseball Rennicke was a varsity for over three decades. Quan- Bartelt’s records speak baseball coach for 26 years dt, who had 324 career victo- for themselves. His at South Milwaukee (three ries at Oshkosh High School teams won Twenty-ive years), Granville (eight from 1950 to 1972, and then Central Wisconsin years) and Homestead at Oshkosh North from 1972 Conference chami- High School (15 years). to 1987, had teams appear in onships from 1954 to While at Homestead, he six State Tournaments, two of 1994. He coached eight set the standard for every which they won in 1954 and 1956. He was the teams to undefeated coach who would follow founding member of the Snitz Club, the main conference seasons; in his footsteps. He led fundraising machine for Oshkosh baseball, was he made six appearances at the WIAA state the Highlanders to six Braveland Conference instrumental in building Peppler Field and EJ baseball tournaments; he won iteen champi- Titles, seven Regional Titles, three Section- Schneider Field. He organized the Babe Ruth onships in the Central Wisconsin Boys Baseball al Titles, and two (1974, 1978) State Titles program in Oshkosh and directed 13 junior League; he won eight league championships during his tenure. He was Wisconsin State baseball clinics for three diferent age groups. in American Legion Baseball, including three Coach of the Year in 1974, and accumulated A and letter winner at the University state tournament appearances. he baseball 321 victories in his career. He also served as of Wisconsin, Quandt was a member of the ield in Marion was named John Bartelt Field in secretary for the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Badgers 1950 Big Ten Championship team, a his honor in 2010. Association for one year. he Homestead team that inished fourth nationally. Quandt High School baseball ield was named ater served in the 85th Regiment during the Korean him in 1979. War and was a retired Colonel in the US Army Reserve. Quandt passed away in 2011 at the 1979 - frank granitz age of 82. manitowoc

1979 - charles bilek 1979 - dynie mansfield Granitz taught and coached at Lincoln High milwaukee washington uw-madison School for over 30 years, ater serving in the US Army Air Corp from 1942-1945. During his A native of years at Lincoln, he was dubbed ‘Fundamental Cleveland, Frank’ for his constant stressing of the sports he Ohio, Mans- was teaching or coaching. Granitz passed away 1979 - rodney billerbeck ield enrolled in 2009 at the age of 89. at Wisconsin in gibraltar 1925 and would spend the next Billerbeck irst 45 years on 1979 - murray denemark coached baseball the Madison milwaukee custer in Cassville, where campus. He his teams won four lettered in conference titles in baseball three ive years. In 1955, he times and was also the all-university boxing moved to Gibraltar heavyweight boxing champion in 1928 and in Fish Creek, where 1929. He played baseball in the New York he would coach for Giants organization and semi-pro football the next 41 years. His with the Madison Blues in the early 1930s 1979 - walt hein teams won numerous before joining the Madison physical edu- shawano conference champion- cation faculty in 1936. In 1940, Mansield became the Badger’s baseball coach, a post ships and coached the 1979 state champi- Hein was with Shawano from 1949 to he would hold through 1970, compiling ons, which were undefeated, the same year 1978 and led his baseball team to a state a record of 441-339 and winning Big Ten he was inducted into the irst class of the appearance in 1964. WBCA Hall of Fame. Billerbeck enlisted in titles in 1946 and 1950. He also coached the Navy at the age of 17. While enlisted he Wisconsin’s 1947 and 1948 150 pound foot- played for the Great Lakes Naval baseball ball teams. He was a member of the 1956 team against regularly visiting major league US Olympic baseball committee and was 1979 - john wilson teams. He was assigned to the Paciic he- elected to the ABCA Hall of Fame in1970. dodgeville ater, where he was stationed until the war He was inducted into the UW Athletic Hall was over. He died in 2009 at the age of 84. of Fame in 1998. Source: On Wisconsin! he History of Badger Athletics, by By Don Kopriva and Jim Mott.

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