Bob Gawlitta: Lincoln High School’s Head Baseball Coach Retiring
Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln’s Head Baseball Coach steps down after 31 years as head
coach of the Red Raiders. Coach Gawlitta has coached baseball for 36 years, which
included coaching stints at Eau Claire Memorial and Superior High School.
In 1994, Bob became the head coach at Lincoln High School. During his time at Lincoln,
he accumulated 403 wins, the most all-time at Lincoln High School. During his tenure,
Coach Gawlitta won conference championships in ‘95, ‘96, ‘98 and ‘01 and made
sectional appearances in ‘96, ‘98, ‘01, ‘03, ‘04, ‘06, ‘18, and ‘19. In 2003, Coach
Gawlitta led the Red Raiders to a State appearance. Since 1991, Bob has been an
active member of the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association (WBCA) and was
elected and served as their president from 2009 – 2011. Coach Gawlitta was inducted
into the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association (WBCA) Hall of Fame in 2023.
“On behalf of the Wisconsin Rapids community, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to
Mr. Gawlitta for his service and dedication to our students and families over the past 35
years. In the classroom, Mr Gawlitta’s passion for his subject manner, and humor have
positively impacted multiple generations. His strong leadership and sportsmanship on
the baseball field shaped young athletes into great human beings. Bob exemplified hard
work and humility through his dedication to our youth programs and the development of
the Rapids Area Sports Complex. Bob’s presence in the classroom and the dugout will
be missed.” said Ron Rasmussen, current Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools
Superintendent and former Lincoln High School Principal.
The Lincoln High School Athletic Department thanks Coach Gawlitta for all his countless hours and his dedication to baseball in the Wisconsin Rapids community. Coach Gawlitta has left a positive foundation for baseball in our school and community and his impact on baseball will be long felt.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
