Wiss to be honored

In 24 years at Minster, Mike Wiss has had plenty of memories coaching at his alma mater, especially on the baseball diamond.

The hard work has earned the Wildcats' baseball coach the ultimate honor as he will be honored later this week when he is inducted into the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame.

When asked about receiving the honor, Wiss feels honored. The fact that as he is still active, it's unique.

"You think about the hall of fame after you retire," said Wiss, who is 409-188 in his career as the Wildcats' skipper. "I know (coaches) who are in the hall of fame that are not retired. I still see myself with a few years left. One guy said 'You've been doing it for 24 years.' How many still coach for that long? With what coaching is today and how much time it takes away from your own family (to be with) your team family, it's a big commitment.

"Don't get me wrong. I was surprised that it occurred right now, but very happy to be awarded that honor."

Under Wiss, the Wildcats have become a state power. Wiss-led teams have won three Midwest Athletic Conference titles, 18 sectional titles, seven district titles and four regional crowns. Wiss first led Minster to state in 2003, finishing as state runner-up. Championship gold came in 2011 with the first of Minster's back-to-back state titles. Last season, Minster made it back to Columbus and won on a walk-off hit over Russia for the team's third state title.

"Number one, I have been blessed with a good clientele of players," Wiss said. "Number two, we have been blessed with a group of coaches that have been there. In all of my years of coaching, I have only had three coaches that I have not coached. All of my staff currently I have coached. All those guys have been there so long. They have dedication and are there with you in the thick and thin.

"Thirdly, we've had a great group of parents in Minster (who have allowed) their kids to do what needs to be done to be successful. I've had good relationships with the players, coaches and parents. That's important today."

Wiss joins a group of Grand Lake-area coaches who have already been enshrined in the hall. Legendary Coldwater coach Lou Brunswick was enshrined in 1975. Longtime Parkway coach Don Black entered in 1986. Mike Schumm, who had played for Black at Parkway and later succeeded him after Black's death, was selected for the hall in 2010. St. Henry coach John Dorner, for whom Wiss played and with whom he later coached on the St. Marys American Legion team, entered in 2014.

"I played against both Mike and Lou and got a chance to coach against Mike," Wiss said. "I coached with John and against him. Those guys - when you get a chance to sit down, (you) learn from guys who have put time in (and) who have spent their life (coaching). I see right now in my years of coaching, playing and coaching St. Marys Legion, the amount of schools in the area that has a lot of young coaches that I (coached in American Legion ball). To see that all materialize is cool as a coach."

The schedule this week will be busy for Wiss, who also coaches the girls' basketball team. Thursday night, the night when the inductees are given time to talk, Wiss will be on the sidelines at Wildcat Gymnasium coaching against rival New Bremen in a battle of state-ranked teams. Friday, he will go to Columbus to receive his honor and give his speech, and then return home for a Saturday afternoon game against state-ranked Ottoville.

"(Minster assistant coach) Austin Kaylor is going to introduce me. He and I have been teaching two rooms away from each other every day. It's such a big deal to have other coaches in the building with the kids," Wiss said. "Austin has been a super coach/best friend for a long time.

"What am I going to say? Probably a whole bunch of thank yous to the coaches, players and community. It's not often you can come back to the community you grew up in. I've lived here for 47 years and don't plan on leaving. ... I'll thank my wife (Kelly) and kids (Madison, Meghan, Andrew and Alli). When I go do (work) with the baseball family, the home family has to stay real strong."