Chris Schwarz and the University of Wisconsin La Crosse baseball team have faced their fair share of adversity in recent years. However, most of their struggles have nothing to do with balls and strikes.
In the summer of 2009, Schwarz and his team were notified that the coaching staff could no longer receive a salary from the university due to school-wide budget cuts. Furthermore, a university policy stated that the team could only be run by a paid head coach. This in turn would force UW-L to drop baseball from its athletic program.
The outlook was bleak but the team wasn’t ready to give up. Just days after the initial announcement, the team successfully appealed to university officials and was able to begin fundraising for the upcoming season.
Ex-head coach Bill Terry helped take charge of the fundraising efforts.
“[Bill] was a voice in this from day one," said Schwarz. “He has a strong following of alumni.”
With a short term goal of over $30,000, the team and their supporters took to the streets in hopes of finding some desperately needed financial aid.
“It was grass roots, old fashioned, knocking and beating on doors," Schwarz said.
By May 10, 2010 the Eagles had raised enough money to keep the program alive for five additional seasons, thanks in large part to a guarantee from an anonymous source that took care of the expenses that fundraising could not cover. The source asked that the team organize a committee that would fundraise continuously.
The request was granted with the creation of Friends of Baseball at UW-L. The organization recently helped put together one of UW-L Baseball’s highest profile events to date.
Committee chairman Dan Kunz conceived the idea to combine forces with the La Crosse Loggers who hold an annual winter barbecue to help get their fans and their town thinking baseball.
The 2011 barbecue featured some highly esteemed guests, including former Milwaukee Brewers Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, Jim Gantner and Jerry Augustine. Augustine, a La Crosse alumni, has made a habit of standing by his former team.
“Jerry has always been a supporter of our program on many different levels," said Schwarz.
The former teammates entertained the crowd of over 1,100 people with a round table baseball discussion. All proceeds from the event went to UW-L baseball.
While the program has made significant strides financially, additional help is always appreciated. Prospective donors can find more information at www.saveuwlbaseball.com.
Schwarz feels that he will see the day when the program will no longer rely upon donations.
“I do not plan on fundraising forever,” said Schwarz. “Our current chancellor has intentions of putting us back in the budget (when funds allow it).”
Surprisingly, coach Schwarz, who is entering his seventh season at the helm of the Eagles, couldn’t be happier about where his team stands.
“I feel right now we are in a better position on and off the field than we have ever been.We are guardians of tradition and during our tenure we are not going to let it go away.”
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