Tony Gerharz can be described as a pillar of consistency. He's been part of the Oshkosh West baseball staff for 35 years, 29 of those as head coach.
"I don't know what I'd do if I wasn't doing the baseball and teaching stuff. I still enjoy it and think I have a passion for it. Never missed a practice or a game in 29 years," said Coach Gerharz.
Junior Austin Fox explained, "He's like my second dad out here. He's provided for us not only as players but more like kids and sons too."
The skipper's been on the diamond for so long, he's now instructing a second generation of Wildcats.
"My dad used to play here and he had Coach Gerharz as a coach too. He loved his coach and it's cool to get to have the same coach as my dad," said sophomore Michael McBriar.
His assistant Scott Morrison may know Tony better than anyone else. The West alum has been by his side for 27 years.
Morrison said, "I think we're very complimentary colleagues in coaching. His strengths and my strengths are somewhat different."
"We know we're getting old cause we start telling stories of guys in the '80's and '90's and our kids don't have any clue who these people are," added Gerharz.
"We can really trust what they're saying because they've been there before. They've almost been through every experience you could possibly imagine on a baseball diamond," said Fox.
Senior Matthew Rebholz explained, "You definitely know what to expect coming in year in and year out, so that really helps."
This February Gerharz was inducted into the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.
"Seeing your name up there, being with 180 or so other state coaches was a big thrill and very humbling also," said Gerharz.
Last season Morrison was recognized as Assistant Coach of the Year. For both guys, their dedication to the players is unwavering.
"We've had great coachable players over the years, who really care, and it's a pleasure to coach them," said Morrison.
"Guys are staying a long time, everyone wants to be a part of it. So, yeah I think we've got something special here," added sophomore Ben Kohl.
"Try to instill in the guys to work hard, competition, but you're out here to enjoy yourself," explained Coach Gerharz.
It's not just Tony and Scott who help with the Wildcats consistency. Their JV coach has been at Oshkosh twenty-two years and their freshman coach, fifteen.
