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 waselected 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.