Induction Speech
As part of a 31-year career as the director of financial aid at Millersville, Gene Wise coached the Marauder baseball team for 12 seasons, winning three PSAC Championships and three NAIA District 19 titles.
From 1966-77, Wise’s Marauders posted a 145-71-2 record and a winning percentage of .671, which places him first among the 10 Millersville coaches since 1947. His 145 wins ranks third all-time.
Wise’s baseball coaching career began in 1965 when his freshmen team went 6-0. In 1968 Wise's team had a 12-5 record and the program’s first PSAC Championship. He was named NAIA District 19 Coach of the Year for his efforts. Three years later, he won the award again when his club posted a 15-7-1 mark.
During this time, the PSAC transitioned into divisions and postseason play. Wise’s 1974 club produced one of the finest seasons in school history, going 17-4 overall and 8-1 for a first PSAC East title. The Marauders played PSAC West champ Indiana (Pa.) in a best-of-three series and swept their way to a PSAC Championship by scores of 8-1 and 10-4. Wise was tabbed as the PSAC Coach of the Year.
Wise and the Marauders pulled off a repeat performance the following season. After winning 13 of the first 14 games to win the PSAC East again, the Marauders swept IUP in the championship series for back-to-back PSAC titles. The ’75 club ranked sixth in the nation in batting with a .331 average and seventh in pitching with a 2.06 ERA.
Wise retired as head baseball coach in 1977 without ever recording a losing season. Six of his players—Jim Todd, Glenn Stitzel, Kirk Berger, Phil Rossi, Bob Rossi and Tim Lynch played professionally. Todd was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 10th round of the 1969 amateur draft and enjoyed a six-year Major League Baseball career.
While at Millersville, Wise also guided the Millersville men’s soccer team in 1964-65 and was an assistant basketball coach for two seasons. Additionally, he coached wrestling at Penn Manor High School from 1964-66 and baseball and soccer at Western School in the Garden Spot School District from 1959-61. Wise is a member of the Elizabethtown College Hall of Fame for his athletic career.
Wise retired from Millersville University in 1997 and lives in Springdale Farms with his wife Sally. They have a daughter, Sarah Jean Wise, living in the Philadelphia area.
