The Coach That Put It All Together

Known as one of the most influential coaches in Trinity athletics history, Coach Wheeler guided the Tiger baseball team from 1963-1985. He was also the head coach of the basketball team and an assistant football coach in the 1950's.

     In 1972, his 10th season as the Trinity Tigers baseball coach, Coach Wheeler led the team to their legendary 22 game win streak and into the NCAA playoffs, in a format of Division I schools. During his tenure, Trinity advanced to the NCAA playoffs in 1969, 1972, and 1973. The Tigers also won the Southland Conference championship five times under Coach Wheeler's leadership: 1964, 1965, 1966, 1969, and 1973. He was elected SLC Coach of the Year in 1965 and 1968 (trinitytigers.com).

     In 1999, Coach Wheeler was inducted into the inaugural Trinity University Athletic Hall of Fame. He was elected the Trinity University Alumnus of the Year in 1998. 

     Eight of Coach Wheelers players were elected to the Trinity Athletics Hall of Fame, including 5 members of the 1972 team; Paul Stanley, Bill Daffin, Mike Bacsik, Mickey Mahler, and the late Rick Mahler. Both of the Mahler brothers and Mike Bacsik went onto play professional baseball. 

    Described by former players as a "players' kind of coach", Coach Houston Wheeler truly cared about the well being of his athletes.

    "Coaching was secondary to Coach Wheeler," Bill Daffin said in an interview with trinitytigers.com. "He was such a special human being, and he taught us what being a good person meant."

     Interviews that I have recently conducted with former players Bill Daffin, Mike Bacsik, and Mickey Mahler included nothing but praise for the late Coach Wheeler.

     "Coach Wheeler was instrumental in making the team chemistry click. He put all the pieces together, and managed the talent extremely well. Most importantly, though, you could tell that he really cared about all of us," said Mike Bacsik. 

     Not only did Coach Wheeler produce results on the baseball field, he also shaped the attitudes and values of many athletes that came through Trinity. Coach Houston Wheeler passed away at the age of 92, on Friday, Decemeber 24, 2010. He is rememebered as an honroable, hard working man that will forever be known as a baseball icon in the Trinity baseball family (trinity.com).