“It’s taken it awhile to sink in,” Wiethop said. “It’s nice to be recognized, but it’s a great opportunity to remember and be grateful for the many people that have helped me and influenced me and made this possible.

“I’ve been fortunate to have great players and great assistant coaches,” Wiethop added. “So many coaches have had a distinct impact on me and helped me to not only be a better coach, but also a better person. I can’t thank them enough.”

Wiethop was born in Evansville, Indiana, and raised in Carmi. In high school, he played basketball, baseball, golf and track before graduating in 1983. He then went to the University of Evansville (Indiana), where he graduated in 1987 with a degree in secondary education.

“I’ve always loved sports,” Wiethop noted. “I was the guy in the living room keeping score of whatever game I was watching or listening to. I’ve kept score for every baseball game I’ve ever been to. I loved playing baseball and basketball, but I was a better baseball player.”

His first coaching job was as the junior varsity basketball coach in Whitesville, Kentucky. He was there for one year and then spent two years as the seventh grade girls basketball coach at Carmi. He came to Effingham Junior High in 1993 as a physical education teacher and coach. It was the beginning of 27 years coaching basketball and baseball. He also coached track for 23 years.

In addition to all the wins his teams have racked up, he has had state track champions in both relays and individual events; guided the 2005 EJHS baseball team to a third place finish at state; coached three players that have gone on to Major League baseball careers (Chad Green, Nick Gardewine and Jordan Pals); and has coached three AAU girls that went on to play professional basketball.

Overall, he has a 431-217 record in basketball. In his years at EJHS, the eighth grade Mustangs have compiled a 390-193 mark, an impressive 67 percent winning percentage. That includes 13 Class 4A regional championships, three sectional titles and one appearance in the Elite Eight. His teams have won 15 or more games in 16 of his 27 seasons. And his EJHS teams from 1998 through 2001 strung together a 34-game home winning streak.

“I probably enjoy coaching basketball a little more simply because there are more things you can do to influence the outcome,” Wiethop explained. “In basketball, the inferior team can still win. In baseball, you have to have a good pitcher. The team with the best pitcher generally wins.”

The veteran coach admits he has changed some through the years.

“I’ve become more patient,” Wiethop noted. “The kids that played for me 27 years ago tell me I’ve mellowed. They say I’m not as intense as I once was. I think I understand my role as a coach better, too, especially when it comes to continually pushing the fundaments of the game and developing young players.

“I’ve found out it’s about a lot more than wins and losses,” Wiethop added. “What do we do during a tough season? Are we getting better? Are we seeing improvement? Are we helping all the kids and not just a few? We’re not going to be judged solely on how many games we win.”

Wiethop is especially pleased with his working relationship with Obie Farmer, the head basketball coach at Effingham High School.

“When Obie first took the job, he told me that when they won at the high school, he wanted me to be a part of it and celebrate with them. And when we win at the junior high, he wanted to be part of that, too, and celebrate with us. I really appreciated that.

“We’re in this together,” Wiethop said. “It makes me feel good when our players from the junior high can go up and help the high school team. One of our goals is helping getting these kids ready for the next level.”

Wiethop is only 54 years old, so he has years left to continue teaching and coaching. But when that day does come to step away, he is prepared.

“I won’t be sitting around,” he said with a big smile.

It seems not only is he an avid reader, but he also has a few impressive collections. His book collection, alone, numbers 17,000. Plus, he collects vinyl (records), comics and sports memorabilia.

He is also a Yankees and Cardinals fan in baseball.

“My grandfather worked at Evansville Memorial High School when Don Mattingly was in school,” Wiethop explained. “So I pulled for the Yankees because of my grandfather. Now I pull for them because of Chad. In fact, I already have my tickets for the Yankees-Cards games this summer in St. Louis.”

Wiethop admits he doesn’t know what the future holds.

“As long as I enjoy teaching and coaching and as long as I feel I can make a difference in kids’ lives, I will continue,” he said. “The relationships you develop with the kids and the coaches you work with and against, that’s what it’s all about.

“I definitely get more out of coaching than I could ever give,” he noted. “I can’t think of a more rewarding thing you could ever do. I’ve been blessed. That’s for sure.”