After 36 years of coaching at Concordia, head baseball Coach Bucky Burgau has reached his 700th career win.
It is a large mile marker but Burgau stays focused on the current team’s success.
“I am really thankful to Concordia for allowing me to be their head baseball coach for 36 years. Longevity has provided me an opportunity to get those 700 (wins). But, this is a team game and a lot of good players, and a lot of good coaches have helped us get to the 700,” Burgau said.
Just as Burgau is thankful for his players, his players appreciate him.
“Bucky cares deeply about all of his players. He has incredible passion for the game, and it rubs off on all of us,” said senior player Jordan Gefroh.
Shawn Krueger, another senior player, agreed with Gefroh.
“He has more fire and excitement than any coach that I have ever played for,” Krueger said.
Burgau’s assistant coach, Chris Coste, admires his priorities.
“Even though he is very competitive, he’s a huge believer and leads by example that wins and losses really aren’t the important thing,” Coste said.
Burgau is very focused on the here and now. He wants to put his energy into the team he has right now.
He is making sure to do just that through all of the publicity surrounding his 700 wins.
“I’m really fired up about this group and about any group that I have been able to coach at the present time. I don’t want anything to take anything away from this group,” Burgau said.
Both coaches were very pleased with the progress that they have seen with their team so far this year. They are looking forward to warmer weather that will permit them to play outside and continue to improve.
Burgau is passionate about making his players the best people that they can be. He approaches this goal in a very positive way.
“He’s not tough that often but when he is he does it in such a positive way that he’s a good motivator,” Coste said.
As a former Cobber and player for Burgau, Coste believes that Burgau has a great impact on his players.
“A true sign of a good coach at this level is the amount of his former players that have their sons come and play for him. That’s the mark that he leaves,” Coste said.
Burgau values the relationships he is able to form with people through coaching.
Along with the relationships with his players, fellow coaches have made an impact in his coaching career.
He specifically mentioned Jim Dimick and Max Molock, former MIAC school baseball coaches, as having a part in his success as a coach.
“I’ll be forever indebted to their guidance along with the former coaches and athletic directors here at Concordia that (have) guided me along the way,” Burgau said.
Burgau will be stepping down to assistant coach next year while Coste will take up the role of head coach.
Again, this upcoming change is something in the future for coaches. Right now, they are focused on this season and the success of this team.
The Cobbers are on a six-game winning streak and are hoping to be on the field as soon as possible.
Check the Concordia Athletics website for updates on game cancellations and postponements.
