In 2008, the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds welcomed a familiar face back to campus when John Wirtz joined the baseball coaching staff. Serving as the team’s third base coach and working closely with the infielders, Wirtz brought with him decades of experience, deep knowledge of the game, and a personality that could light up any dugout.
Before his return to UIndy, Wirtz enjoyed an extraordinary 31-year high school coaching career. He led teams at Cardinal Ritter High School from 1971 to 1973 and at Roncalli High School from 1977 to 2004.
His career record of 658 wins and 232 losses reflected not only his tactical expertise but also his ability to inspire young athletes. That .740 winning percentage speaks volumes about the standards he set and the consistency he maintained over more than three decades.
Wirtz’s impact went far beyond wins and losses. His contributions to Indiana sports were recognized with his induction into the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2002. Two years later, in 2004, he earned a place in the Indiana Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame as a fast-pitch player.
A 1971 graduate of UIndy—then Indiana Central College—Wirtz had been a standout four-year starter for the Greyhound baseball team and an all-conference third baseman. His love for the game was lifelong, and he never missed an opportunity to pass it on.
Those who knew Wirtz remember more than a great coach—they remember “Wirty,” a man whose presence seemed to fill every gym, ball field, or press box. Whether coaching on the diamond or simply attending a game, he greeted everyone with a smile, a story, and that unmistakable laugh. He had a knack for making people feel like they were his best friend.
One former competitor recalls a favorite memory: his team, the Hawks, was playing Roncalli on the school’s old baseball field—the one with “100 ground rules” and a football goal post in right field.
On that day, the coach noticed a brand-new scoreboard in the outfield. Curious, he asked Wirtz how they’d raised the funds. Wirtz glanced around, lowered his voice, and said he didn’t want the athletic director to find out.
When pressed, he grinned and explained, “We only have three sports here at Roncalli: varsity football, JV football, and freshman football.” The exchange perfectly captured Wirtz’s wit, charm, and understanding of the quirks of high school athletics.
Another friend shared that he visited Wirtz in the hospital not long before his passing. Despite being tired, Wirtz was still laughing, still loving, still the same man who could make you feel better just by being near him.
His passing leaves a deep void in the Indiana baseball community. Roncalli High School, where he spent most of his coaching career, is urged by many to find a lasting way to honor him—a tribute fitting for someone who shaped so many lives.
For those who played for him, coached against him, or simply shared a bleacher seat beside him, John Wirtz was more than a coach. He was a mentor, a storyteller, and a friend to all. His life reminds us that the legacy of a coach isn’t written only in championship banners but also in the laughter, respect, and love of the people whose lives he touched.
Rest in peace, Coach Wirtz. God speed, and thank you for the memories.
