Green Bay Packers All-Time Leading Rusher Ahman Green and National Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher and Brewers Legend Rollie Fingers, are among five Wisconsin sports legends who will be inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame at the 73rd Anniversary . Paul Pip Wuest was born in La Crosse on April 10, 1910, graduated from Central High School in 1929, and attended La Crosse Teachers College (UWL), where he played football for one season. Super Bowl Table Partner for $10,000 First two rows table location, video thank you and on-stage mention, 8 total VIP passes to Champions Club. He was signed by the Boston Red Sox in 2001, but an early season elbow injury ended his playing career. The Hall of Fame data is found for the years 1920-1948 and the Ashwill data is found from 1904-1919. Most recently he was a member of the Minnesota Bandits 65-and-older team that won the 2019 National Division Championship. He remained at the helm for 30 years, overseeing all interscholastic sports for private high schools in Wisconsin. He and Leo Mashak ran the National Baseball Congress tournament for over 40 years. Pavela interrupted his college career to serve three years in the Navy during WWII. Merv Henley, raised in Coon Valley, was a standout ballplayer, pitching and playing outfield for local semi-pro teams well into his 40s. He also played American Legion ball, and was a member of the 1978 state championship team. Dr. Jerry Staub - Rockton . He was also involved in the early organization of the Stars of Tomorrow tournament. Names of those attending: More than his accomplishments on the field as a player or coach, Boyer is best remembered for the positive impact he had on those around him, especially the hundreds of high school athletes he coached in in his nearly half-century affiliation with La Crescent Lancers baseball. 1) The Negro Leagues Researchers and Authors Group put together by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum thanks to a grant provided by Major League Baseball. The cost to attend is $25 per person . He led his teams to a 199-144 record, racking up the third most wins in school history, and tenth most in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference history. Parizek worked at La Crosse Peerless Brewery, the La Crosse Rubber Mills, and the La Crosse Post Office. After two seasons with the Cubs organization, he became a professional scout for the Rockies. During his day job overseeing his grocery business, he employed many young ballplayers, among them another La Crosse Area Baseball Hall of Famer, Jerry Augustine. He remained active for the rest of his life, playing for local teams in Stoddard, La Crosse and La Crescent, moving on to senior league baseball when he reached his 50s. After spending 2004 with Oakland, Miller joined the Brewers for three years, retiring after the 2007 season. One of his teammates at Decatur was his Aquinas High School teammate Dick Ghelfi. During the summers, he switched from coaching to playing. | Site Map. He made his major league debut on August 10, 1997 as a pinch hitter against Mariano Rivera and the New York Yankees. Born in Alma Center and educated at UWL (undergraduate) and Winona State (graduate), Buckley began his professional career as a teacher at La Crosse Lincoln Junior High School. The Sheboygan A's are members of the Wisconsin State League and Northeastern Wisconsin Baseball League. He guided the girls ski team to the 1979 state championship. Stepping away from the baseball diamond did not mean he stopped contributing to the community though. Gus Burwell - Madison . He also helped Team USA win a gold medal in the 1988 Olympics and a silver medal in the 1987 Pan American Games, and earned USA Baseballs Alumni Award in 1994. Also inducted will be Dave Johnson, a baseball player who had played with the Eau Claire Cavaliers for 18 years, and managed the legion team for 13 years. His minor league career spanned seven seasons and a total of 367 games. The Northwest League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Northwestern United States and Western Canada.A Class A Short Season league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues. Check out some of our favorite shots from our 73rd Anniversary Induction Ceremony on Saturday April 1st. In between, he and his wife Marilyn raised eight children, he starred on the baseball field, and made a mark on the community that has been commemorated with a baseball field and an apartment building bearing his name. The 1905 La Crosse Pinks were champions of the six-team class D Wisconsin State League, compiling a gaudy 68-41 record. In 2011 Scott Servais joined the Los Angeles Angels as Assistant General Manager of Scouting & Player Development. He graduated from UW-La Crosse in 1968, lettering in baseball. Scott Servais was born on June 4, 1967. It was his defense, however, that won him awards. During his tenure the Golden Gophers made seven NCAA tournament appearances. Ed Konetchy died from heart disease on May 27, 1947. From the time he joined the Packers in 2000 through the end of the 2004 season, Green gained more yards from scrimmage (9,036) and rushing yards (6,848) than any other player in the NFL. | Site Map, Green Bay Blue Ribbons, Marshfield Chaparrals, Green Bay Blue Ribbons, Oshkosh Giants, Racine, Green Bay Blue Ribbons, Marshfield Chaparrals, Oshkosh Giants, Green Bay Blue Ribbons, Oshkosh Giants, Sheboygan A's, Beloit Blues, Green Bay Blue Ribbons, Janesville Aces. She has been inducted into the USA Triathalon Hall of Fame. In three years at AAA he was 18-18 with a 4.92 ERA and 4.9 strikeouts per 9 innings. Pavela was recognized as a talented ballplayer at a young age. #WSL He appeared in 56 games in 1996 and in a career-high 76 games in 1997 when he hit .289 and set career-highs in runs (30), hits (58), doubles (9), RBI (22), walks (35) and on-base percentage (.397). During this time Sun Prairie won four conference titles, made eight Sectional appearances, and won two State Championships, 1994 and 1997. P. O. Babe passed away at his home on August 19, 1998. Inductees. Boober Parizek, known as Mr. Richard Francis Dick Ghelfi was born on August 24, 1934, in Genoa, WI. The boys were state runners-up that same year. Registration is now open for the 2022 Wisconsin State League Awards and Hall of Fame Dinner. Playoff Table Partner for $6,000 Benefits above, preferred table location, 4 VIP passes to Champions Club with Hall of Fame Inductees and dignitaries. He had spent the previous six seasons in the Texas Rangers front office. In 1987 he was named Wisconsin State High School Coach of the Year and the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Coach of the Year. The Wisconsin State League has released the all-league first and second teams for the 2022 season, as voted on by the team's General Manager's and league personnel. He pitched in a total of three games that season, finishing with a 1-1 record in 14.1 innings pitched, with an impressive 3.14 ERA and 14 strikeouts. The wise investment of the proceeds of the sale grew into the endowment that she provided for local baseball. He also played eight seasons in the minors, finishing his career in Hawaii in 1981, appearing in 43 games and batting .272 with 16 extra base hits in 125 at bats. Minor league baseball teams were based in Marinette, Wisconsin in various seasons between 1891 and 1914. Len continued to play ball, moving on to a successful career in fast pitch softball. Before the 1914 season Konetchy was traded to Pittsburgh for five players. Frank Thornton was born in Portage, WI on February 25, 1944. He graduated from Logan High School in 1941 where he helped lead Logan to both the intra-city and South Central Conference baseball championships, pitching a no-hitter against Sparta along the way. Terrys teams won seven conference championships, advancing to the NAIA playoffs six times, making it all the way to the NAIA World Series in 1979, when they placed fifth in the nation. Box 32 In 2017 he was league coach of the year and also selected as the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Mideast Region Coach of the Year. The Induction Ceremony will take place on April 1st, 2023, at the Marcus Performing Arts Center in downtown Milwaukee. 1) The Negro Leagues Researchers and Authors Group put together by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum thanks to a grant provided by Major League Baseball. . Grant Berkovitz will be inducted into the Sheboygan A's Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 15th between games of the A's/Lombard Orioles Wisconsin State League doubleheader. Address: Coach Terry was inducted into the State Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1986 and the UWL Wall of Fame in 1994. Tony Ghelfi was born in La Crosse in 1961. He advanced quickly through the Phillies system, beginning at Helena in the rookie level Pioneer League in 1980, moving up to A ball in 1981 and 1982. Boyer spent 45 years coaching at La Crescent High School, the final 17 as head coach, fashioning a 326-143 record. 1) The Negro Leagues Researchers and Authors Group put together by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum thanks to a grant provided by Major League Baseball. He appeared in nine games that year, all in relief, posting a 2-0 record. In the 1960s it was difficult for Wisconsin high school players to get a good look from scouts because they played summer ball, and unless they made the state baseball tournament, they often went unnoticed. The 1986 team finished the season ranked 19th in the nation by USA Today. Randy Wilke. All Rights Reserved. | Site Map. Together they raised two daughters. He was instrumental in setting the groundwork for the eventual merger of the WISAA with the public-school Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association in 2000. Also inducted will be Dave Johnson, a baseball player who had played with the Eau Claire Cavaliers for 18 years, and managed the legion team for 13 years. Servais made his Major League debut on July 12, 1991 for the Astros in a pinch hitting role. He played part of 1985 in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins. He also coached the La Crosse Juniors for 22 years, winning a national title in 1986. Bill Terry was born in Cresco, IA in 1930, but grew up just down river in Lansing, IA, playing baseball and basketball at Lansing High School. His teams went 60-60 over three years, and 23 of his players earned All-conference honors. | Site Map. He also led all catchers in fielding percentage in both 2002 and 2004. Saturday, April 1, 2023 The first new member is Cy Berg, a baseball coach who led the Old Abes to four state championships. He starred for Quality Lumber & Coal and the Johnson Doughboy Fryers, earning recognition as an All State third baseman in a career that stretched through the 1960s. After the war Henley continued playing for local teams. Today, the Wisconsin State Baseball League officially announced the major award winners for the summer 2022 season. He played seven seasons in the majors with the Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays. Thomas Carl Klawitter (born June 24, 1958) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Dick attended Aquinas High School, where he played baseball for four years, graduating in 1952. After he graduated, he was a highly sought-after player for regional semi-pro tournaments. The center fielder wore this batting helmet in 1989, when he won his second AL MVP Award after winning one at shortstop in 1982. Steve Pavela (1923-2021) was born in La Crosse, and attended Aquinas High School, where he starred in baseball and basketball. He finally began his professional career in 1947 with the Hutchinson Cubs in the Western Association. He also helped establish the local meals-on-wheels program. Unfortunately for Henley and La Crosse baseball fans, World War II interrupted Henleys career, and ultimately led to the dissolution of the league. Anderson was selected as Packers most valuable defensive player for three consecutive years. Registration is now open for the 2022 Wisconsin State League Awards and Hall of Fame Dinner. 5:30pm 10:30pm He was born in Green Bay in 1952 and raised in nearby Kewaunee, where he began his baseball career at Kewaunee High School. He passed away on September 27, 2006 in St. Paul, MN. After World War II she settled in La Crosse, first working as a clerk at Trane Company, then starting a restaurant on the Trane campus. Registration is now open for the 2022 Wisconsin State League Awards and Hall of Fame Dinner. He was known locally as the father of youth baseball, in part because of his oft repeated philosophy to let em all play.. He continued to compete for local softball teams into his late 60s. He left school after the eighth grade and began working at the Funk Candy Company. In his only season in the Federal League, Konetchy set career highs in batting average (.314), hits (181), and triples (18), finishing in the Top Five in almost every offensive category while winning his second fielding Triple Crown. 92 0 obj <>stream His teams played in the Junior American Legions State Championships in 1938 and 1939. Edward Joseph Konetchy was born in La Crosse on September 3, 1885. His 2,150 hits included 344 doubles, 181 triples (17th all time), and 74 home runs. Hambone graduated from Logan High School, where he played baseball and basketball. Upon his return, he renewed his baseball career by signing up to play of the American Legion in the La Crosse City Baseball League. He also tied his career-high with three home runs. He began his professional career with Osceola in 1989, quickly rising through the Astros system to AAA Tucson, where he batted .324 in 1991 before being called up to the majors. In 1953 he was named to the Wisconsin State Semi-Pro all tournament team. With the tournament field down to its final three teams, rain Sunday morning and throughout the day made the field unplayable, canceling the remainder of the tournament. | Site Map. Konetchy was not the only local talent on the team. Alfred Babe Harnish was born in La Crosse on September 15, 1923. During that time he managed several professional players, including La Crosse Area Baseball Hall of Famers Chuck Hockenberry and Everett Johnson. 17:30 22:30. He played professionally for one more season, splitting 1978 between Vancouver in the PCL and Jersey City in the Eastern League, turning in a fine 3.44 ERA and 8-11 record, before hanging up his spikes. After high school Babe served in the army during WWII. Robert Kootch Carroll was born in La Crosse on October 8, 1915 and died there on January 11, 1988. Klawitter was a physical education teacher at Parker High School in Janesville, Wisconsin . In June of 2009 the university announced plans to cancel the sport, and Terry spearheaded an effort to raise more than $175,000 to save the program. Wisconsin State Baseball League 2375 S. 78 St., West Allis, Wi 53219 . In 1987 he was the first recipient of the United States Baseball Federation Volunteer Amateur Coach award, and in 2000 he received the WBCA Distinguished Service Award. In 1983 he advanced through AA (Reading) and AAA (Portland), before making his major league debut that year with the Phillies. His baseball career began as a ten year old in the Powell Park midget league, helping his team to the championship, his first of many. The Hall of Fame data is found for the years 1920-1948 and the Ashwill data is found from 1904-1919. By then he was the pitching coach for the University of Minnesota, a position he held from 1988-98. He also set the single season record for doubles and batting average. His interest in managing waned after that, and he turned down an offer to manage in the Reds minor league system, instead returning home to Onalaska where he continued to play ball on local teams while working in the construction business. The Wisconsin State Baseball League settled on three catchers and two pitchers for induction into its Hall of Fame. In 1961 he moved from high school coaching to college coaching when he joined the football staff at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL). Five Coaches Join WBCA Hall of Fame as the Class of 2016. The Wisconsin State League is one of the premier semi-professional/amateur baseball leagues in the mid-west. Among their many generous gifts was one made in collaboration with UW-La Crosse and the La Crosse Loggers. In operation since 1970, the Wisconsin State League is a highly competitive league that features many of the midwest's top current and former collegiate athletes, as well as many former professional baseball players. He enrolled at Aquinas High School, where he continued his high school baseball career. In 2004 Notre Dame honored him with the Harvey G. Foster Distinguished Alumnus Award. Augustine and his wife Nancy have five children. He managed local American Legion and semipro teams for six years before taking over the Western Wisconsin Technical College team. Williams was named head coach of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse baseball team in 2002, leading the team to a 26-18 record (19-9 conference). Martin talked him out of it and in addition to tying the triples record, Kober went on to an 11-year career and finished with a .324 career batting average, 80 doubles, 23 triples, 65 home runs and membership in both the A's and Wisconsin State League Halls of Fame. Bill Terry took the reigns as UWLs head baseball coach in 1969 and kept the job for eleven years. He returned to La Crosse, where he played semipro ball for several teams in the area, including the La Crosse Mohawks, for whom he was the highest paid player on the team. He was a multi-sport athlete, but his passion for baseball reigned supreme. The WIAC established a Hall of Fame to coincide with the conference's celebration of its 100th anniversary, which took place during the 2012-13 academic year. He contributed at the plate as well, hitting .282 on the season with three homeruns. He led the Blackhawks to the league title that year and continued to manage the team until the league dissolved after the 1942 season. Box 32 He began his coaching career at his alma mater, leading the Aquinas baseball team to four consecutive WISAA state titles from 1982-87. In her retirement, Erickson-Sauer coached softball and took up bowling, a sport she played for more than 30 years. Bill Skemp was born in La Crosse in 1934. On June 28 that year he began an incredible streak, knocking out two singles and a double. After having played against the likes of Hank Aaron and Jackie Robinson, Johnson wasnt interested in segregated baseball. After discussions with league officials, the Wisconsin State League has announced its decision to postpone the Hall of Fame Banquet, originally scheduled for January 30, 2021. His final professional record was a very respectable 31-22 in 74 games. The Wisconsin State Baseball League will induct five into its Hall of Fame next October and an additional inductee gets the honor of being the first to be selected for a new wing of the Hall of Fame. Members of the Wisconsin State League . He has played, coached, umpired, and served as an executive and entrepreneur. In 1959 he accepted a position as executive secretary of the Wisconsin Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association (WCIAA), which later became the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association (WISAA). Shannon is a member of the Cardinals Hall of Fame and a two-time World Series champion. He was also a respected and successful manager. After retiring in 2002, Servais held the position of roving catching instructor for the Cubs. The Hall of Fame Committee will induct the following into the Wisconsin State League Hall of Fame: Nick Mitidiero - Lombard . After graduating, he moved to Michigan City, Indiana, where he taught and coached basketball and baseball for seven years, before returning to La Crosse to join his fathers construction business. April 25, 2022 1:15pm. In Hazelhurst he sported an 11-4 record and 3.23 ERA in 128 innings pitched. Jeff Schmidt was born in Northfield, MN and grew up in La Crosse. He caught for the Onalaska high school team as a fifth grader. Having nearly reached his full grown height of 61 and 185 pounds, he did not look out of place. Committee Member Dick Bezanson said Of the ballots cast, you had to be named on a majority or over 50 percent of the ballots, which with all the candidates we had, that was quite a thing to stand out that much.. At the end of his career with the Packers, he led the organization in tackles and was tied for the Packers career record in interceptions by a linebacker. He led Aquinas to its first state basketball championship in 1941. Gwen Jorgensen Gwen Jorgensen is an Olympic Gold Medal Winner from Waukesha, WI. . He worked for the Post Office for 35 years, retiring as Assistant Postmaster in 1971, and served as a La Crosse County Board Supervisor for 24 years. The 27-member class for 2022 will be inducted at the WIAC Hall of Fame . His career slugging average of .641 ranks third all-time at UWL. 2023 Copyright & Powered By La Crosse Area Baseball Hall of Fame. He was limited to a 135 games over the next two seasons, but hit well enough (.290 with six home runs) to attract the attention of the Cincinnati Reds, who drafted him out of the Cubs organization and put him on their opening day roster in 1950. Barb graduated from UW-L with a degree in medical technology, and worked in the medical field in La Crosse before joining Dave in the family grocery business. The purpose of the La Crosse Area Baseball Hall of Fame is to recognize the significant impact that baseball has made in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Rollie Fingers A National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee in Cooperstown, Fingers redefined the value of relievers in the game of baseball and facilitated the role of the modern closers. Chuck and his wife are enjoying their retirement, following the lives of their three children and five grandchildren. There were no girls sports when she attended Arcadia High School, where she graduated in 1946, but she coached in a summer softball league and played neighborhood pickup games with the boys. Over his career, Kusick appeared in 497 games, batting .235 with a .392 slugging average, 46 home runs, 99 extra base hits, and 171 RBIs. Ghelfi is the father of five children, two of whom also played baseball professionally. The Wisconsin State Baseball Leagues is considered one. His teams made five state tournament appearances, winning it all in 2009. By the time he reached high school age he had to drop out and go to work to help support his family. The A's have helped develop more than 43 players that have reached professional baseball, including 2002 World Series Champion Jarrod Washburn (Anaheim Angels). In 2003 he joined the Chicago Cubs, guiding a dynamic young pitching staff that nearly took him to another World Series. Green Bay Blue Ribbons. He started 16 completing 14. The Ironman of the Hill for the Sheboygan A's from 1973 to 1983, Bob Sauger, received long overdue recognition when he was elected to the Wisconsin State Baseball League Hall of Fame. After the fighting ended in Europe, Pavela played for US service teams in a highly competitive fastpitch softball league. There were originally seven nominees for this years class, those who werent voted in this year will automatically be on next years ballot. Interested organizations can contact Carley Sanfilippo by email at csanfilippo@wihalloffame.com or by phone at 414.507.6197. In 1996 the WBCA named him their Man of the Year. The Induction will be hosted by Green Bay Packers Super Bowl Champion, All-Time Leading Receiver, Dancing with the Stars Champion, AMVETS Humanitarian of the Year, and New York Times best-selling author and President of the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Board of Directors, Donald Driver.