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UTPA ALUM, PROVEN WINNER WILLIE GAWLIK NAMED HEAD BASEBALL COACHEDINBURG, TX –A former Bronc is coming home. The University of Texas-Pan American has hired an alumnus who has played a huge role in the success of each collegiate baseball program that he has been affiliated with. Willie Gawlik (pronounced GAV-lick), who has been successful as a head coach at the University of Central Arkansas, Texas Wesleyan University and several Texas high schools, has been named head baseball coach at Texas-Pan American. Gawlik replaces Reggie Tredaway, who retired in May after five years as head coach. In his only season as
head coach of the Bears after a stellar career at Texas Wesleyan
University, Gawlik made an impact. He led UCA to a 26-24 record, keeping
his team in the hunt for a playoff spot until the final game of the
season. The Bears defeated top-ranked Delta State, an NCAA Division II
College World Series participant. UCA baseball players earned numerous
individual honors, and freshman Barrett Ward was named Freshman of the
Year and first team All-Gulf South Conference. The Bears also claimed
one All-South Central Region spot, and a GSC Player of the Week award,
while nine players earned Academic All-Conference honors. During Gawlik’s last
seven semesters at Texas Wesleyan, 28 of his student-athletes earned
their degrees. Well-respected in his field, Gawlik has served as a
member of the NCAA Division II West Region Baseball Selection Committee,
a National Baseball Rater for the National Association of
Intercollegiate Athletics, and was chair of the Heartland Conference
Baseball Committee. Gawlik’s experience is a strength. “Coach Gawlik has established strong local and regional recruiting ties as a result of his extensive coaching experience on both the collegiate and high school levels in the state of Texas,” said Weidner. “His ability to locate, recruit and sign talented student-athletes who excel both athletically and academically will serve him well at UTPA. As a Texas-Pan American graduate and a former Bronc baseball player, Coach Gawlik has a true understanding of the great tradition of Bronc baseball. He has a passion for our university, and for Bronc athletics. Coach Gawlik’s outstanding organizational skills, attention to detail, and disciplined approach will provide strong leadership and direction to our baseball program. On behalf of The University of Texas-Pan American and our athletic program, I would like to welcome home Willie Gawlik and his wife, Roe, \as the newest members of the Bronc athletic family.” “You don’t often get an opportunity to go back and be the head coach at your alma mater, and I’m excited about going back to The University of Texas-Pan American,” said Gawlik. “I’m very thankful to the administration for giving me this chance. I know that I have big shoes to fill in following (former Head ) Coach Al (Ogletree) and Reggie (Tredaway). I just hope to be able to build on the tradition of having a highly successful program. It was great to go back, see the outstanding facilities, visit with Bill (Weidner), all of the people I met from the coaching staff and the administration. I can’t wait to have the opportunity to work with an outstanding group. When I was playing, I envisioned what it would be like to be the head coach there someday, and I’m very excited about this opportunity.” A native of San Antonio, where he played baseball and football, Gawlik was a three-year starter at Texas-Pan American and a member of the 1971 team that defeated Texas twice in the NCAA Playoffs, won two games at the NCAA Division I College World Series, and finished fourth in the nation. He was a teammate of Tredaway, and played under longtime Head Coach Al Ogletree, who was named NCAA Division I Coach of the Year that season. Gawlik began his coaching career as the head baseball coach and as an assistant football coach at PSJA HS in the Rio Grande Valley community of Pharr, Texas. He also coached at Alice HS before moving on to Corpus Christi Carroll High, where his team advanced to the state quarter-finals and won a district championship. At San Antonio Lee High School, Gawlik’s teams reached the Class 5A state quarter-finals, won two San Antonio city championships and one district championship during his tenure. After a successful high school career, Gawlik became an assistant coach at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. Two of his teams at St. Mary’s advanced to the NAIA College World Series. The Rattlers were three-time conference champions and two-time regional champions during Gawlik’s tenure. Gawlik has many well-known contacts in professional baseball, and they were all glad to see him at UTPA. “Willie is a fine baseball coach and a wonderful man,” said Bobby Bragan, who managed the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates. “I’m sure he’ll do a great job there, just like he did at Texas Wesleyan.” Bragan, who was president of both the Texas League and the National Association (the organization that runs all of the minor leagues affiliated with the majors), managed Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Warren Spahn and Eddie Mathews with the Braves and Roberto Clemente with the Pirates, and was a teammate of Jackie Robinson when he broke the color line while playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Former New York Yankee second baseman Bobby Richardson, who coached the University of South Carolina to a 51-6 record and second place in the NCAA Division I College World Series in 1975, echoed Bragan’s thoughts. “Willie has great knowledge of baseball and great character, and is a fine coach,” said Richardson. “A good college baseball coach can be a real asset to a university, and Willie is the kind of coach who will do very well. He has the ability to recruit, will work well with everyone, and will emphasize academic excellence.” Former major league players Pete O’Brien and Dave Hostetler are acquainted with Gawlik after working at camps in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and both O’Brien and Hostetler said that Gawlik would be very successful. “I know that he is very committed, and he is very excited to go there,” said O’Brien, who is a part owner of the Fort Worth Cats of the Central League.“ Hostetler said that Gawlik was a good choice. “I was very impressed with Willie’s knowledge and his work ethic,” said Hostetler. “He’s great with kids, and will do a great job recruiting. You hired the right guy, and he’ll be a tremendous asset to the baseball program down there.” Gawlik is married to Roe Hurtiz Gawlik. An administrative assistant for the city of Conway, she is a former Assistant Director for the City of Forth Worth's Water Department. BA-24-02 080302 |
For
Immediate Release: August 3, 2002