By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Former Humboldt High School baseball coach Stu Fritz will be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2027.
Fritz spent four years in Humboldt after graduating from Wartburg College, serving as an elementary physical education teacher, head baseball coach and assistant football coach. He led the Wildcats baseball program to the state semifinals in 1990.
Fritz recently reflected on his time in Humboldt during a August 8 appearance on Coaches Corner powered by Comm 1 on KHBT-FM 97.7 The Bolt.
For Fritz, the memories that stand out most from his time in Humboldt aren’t necessarily the wins. They’re the people and relationships he developed after arriving in the community as a 22-year-old.
“100% the people in the relationships,” Fritz said.
He credited several longtime Humboldt coaches and educators, including Gary Newell, Dan McClanahan, John Wickett, Ron Wasoba and John Westphal; for embracing him as a young coach. He also remembered teachers and administrators who helped him along the way.
Fritz said Humboldt already had a strong baseball tradition when he arrived and that he was fortunate to inherit talented players.
The Wildcats reached the state semifinals in 1990, with Fritz remembering players including Doug Van Pelt, Steve Marso, Chad Ruby, Chris Curran, Jason Felker, Mike Albright and Paul Childress.
One of Fritz’s favorite memories from his Humboldt coaching career came that season in the sub-state final at Charles City. Humboldt defeated Oelwein 5-2, with Chad Ruby pitching. Fritz said the victory represented an important step for the program at the time.
Fritz went on to spend 31 seasons as the head baseball coach at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He finished his career with 674 wins, 10 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships and four NCAA Division III tournament appearances.
But Fritz said the foundation of his coaching philosophy was shaped in Humboldt.
“I learned that specifically in Humboldt with my teaching colleagues,” Fritz said. “I just learned how to treat people, and I think that carried over to the rest of my career.”
Fritz said his experience as an educator also played an important role in his development as a coach.
He taught K-6 physical education at Taft and Meese Elementary Schools, coached middle school basketball and worked on McClanahan’s football staff.
“I think coaches are educators,” Fritz said. “So 100% that carries over into the coaching world and just makes you better.”
At Hope, Fritz emphasized academics, baseball and character. He said only three players during his 31-year career failed to graduate.
“We emphasized being a great person,” Fritz said.
Fritz also became heavily involved with the American Baseball Coaches Association, eventually serving as the organization’s president in 2020.
He said being selected for the Hall of Fame was particularly meaningful because the nomination came from his coaching peers.
“I just realized that it’s having incredible kids to coach and being able to do it at an awesome place like Hope College, along with my wife Carol, who was super involved, just meant the world to me,” Fritz said.
Fritz said one of the people who had a major influence on his coaching career was McClanahan.
He described McClanahan as a “second dad” during his time in Humboldt and said McClanahan taught him how to coach with love, grace and empathy.
Despite eventually building a Hall of Fame career at Hope, Fritz said young coaches shouldn’t always be looking ahead to the next opportunity.
His advice comes directly from his own experience in Humboldt.
“Don’t wish for what’s next,” Fritz said. “I could not have handpicked a better place to start.”
Fritz said the people and school district in Humboldt helped shape who he became.
He now works in Hope College’s philanthropy department after retiring from coaching. Fritz said retirement has allowed him to remain connected to Hope while also spending more time with his family and grandchildren.
As for the people in Humboldt who remember him as Coach Fritz or Mr. Fritz, his message is simple.
“A huge heartfelt thank you,” Fritz said.
He thanked the community for giving him the opportunity to begin his career and for teaching him how to do things the right way.
“Those were oftentimes teachable moments that I didn’t even know existed,” Fritz said.
Fritz will be inducted into the ABCA Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2027 on January 8, 2027. The event will take place during the 83rd annual ABCA Convention in Chicago, where several distinguished coaches will be honored.