Bob Haegele - 2010

Westerville North

Bob retired from the Westerville City School System (Westerville North) after 30 years of service in 2002. He taught for 12 years and was a guidance counselor for 18 years. Bob graduated from New Albany High School, he received his B.S. in Education from The Ohio State University, and his Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Xavier University. During his 30 years Bob was a varsity assistant football coach and assistant baseball coach. He was the head baseball coach at Westerville North for 23 years. His baseball teams won 472 games (averaged 20 wins per season with a .799 winning percentage), 12 Ohio Capital Conference championships, 12 Sectional Championships, 6 District Championships, 1 Regional Championship and 3 Regional Runnerup, and 1 State Runnerup. Bob was voted Ohio Capital Conference Coach of the Year 12 times, District Coach of the Year 6 times, Columbus Dispatch Agonis Coach of the Year 3 times, Regional Coach of the Year by American Baseball Coaches Association 2 times, voted Mizuno Ohio State Coach of the Year 2 times, State Poll team # 1 and State Poll Coach of the Year 2 times. Westerville North was ranked in the top 10 of the final State Poll 10 times in Bob's career, and ranked in the Top 25 of the final USA Today Poll 3 times.

The Westerville North baseball field was one of the premier facilities in Central Ohio which included total grass baselines, brick dust playing surface, large Daktronics scoreboard, permanent stadium seating, two 80 feet long batting cages with astro turf surface, press box and concessions, and an 8 foot high wooden outfield fence.

Bob was recognized by his peers for his accomplishments and contributions to Central Ohio baseball when he was inducted into the Central District Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. His players were also recognized during his career with 12 players drafted by Major League Baseball, 15 players selected All Ohio, and 4 players selected as High School All Americans. Bob is proud to have helped nearly 100 players go on to college baseball. Bob served as an officer for the Central District Board for many years and served as President twice. During his tenure on the District Board he introduced and conducted the first skills and drills clinic for the Central District Coaches. That clinic was an annual event for many years allowing various coaches from the Central District to showcase their practice drills and facilities. Bob has served as a clinic speaker on many occasions including the State Baseball Coaches Clinic, as well as, many colleges. Bob has worked camps with many young players, as well as, conducted the Westerville North Summer Baseball Camp. Bob currently teaches baseball lessons and coaches in Scottsdale, Arizona.

In 1987 Bob and his Westerville North team was one of the first Central Ohio teams to travel to Florida for Spring training. Westerville North went to Florida for 15 straight years and Bob assisted many Central Ohio coaches to plan and organize their teams to follow his lead and travel south.

Bob and his wife Phyllis moved to Scottsdale, AZ after their retirement in 2002. They have three adult age children, Carlyn, Dan, and Nicholas and all three are Westerville North graduates, and college graduates.

After Bob's retirement the Haegele Family was proud to fund a College Scholarship for two baseball players each year from Westerville North who maintained the highest grade point average on the team for all four years.

Finally, Bob believes his greatest honor has been to have the opportunity to coach and teach all the tremendous student-athletes that were a part of the North program, and to watch them mature into fine young men. The Westerville North program was successful because players and coaches were committed to the "Hard Work Ethic" and brought "Energy and Enthusiasm" to the field everyday!