WILKES-BARRE — The 1976 Wilkes College baseball team was a special group indeed.
You can say they were led by a very special coach — Gene Domzalski.
Just how special the relationship between Coach Domzalski and his players was evident this weekend when many of the team members got together with their beloved coach for a reunion that marked the 50th anniversary of the Colonels trip to the Division III World Series.
As the players gathered at III Guys in Edwardsville on Saturday afternoon, you could feel the anticipation that Coach Domzalski was going to arrive soon. The players were catching up with each other, telling stories of those glory days at Wilkes and home games at Artillery Park — and about Coach Domzalski.
Arlene Domzalski, Gene’s wife, was already there. Like the players, she was waiting for her husband to arrive with their two sons, Jim and Ed.
When Coach Domzalski arrived, the players took their turn greeting him and exchanging stories — and the show of respect and love was evident.
It really was a special moment and an opportunity for a great team to reunite with their great coach and mentor.
I’ve known Coach Domzalski almost all my life, and I share the admiration, respect, and love for him. He not only was a great athlete and coach, he is a role model for all and a devoted family man and a gentleman in every way.
Hats off to Earl Monk for putting the reunion together. Monk said when he started planning for the 1976 baseball team reunion, he reached out to George Pawlush in December 2023 to discuss how the Wilkes Hall of Fame process works. Pawlush, a Wilkes grad who also worked in the administration, made the trip from his home in Connecticut to attend the reunion.
Pawlush wrote an awesome account of the 1976 team and season, and he offered a lot about Coach Domzalski.
“After he took over the program in 1970, Domzalski’s teams produced nine straight winning seasons,” Pawlush wrote. “During the 1970s, he ranked among the top Division III winningest coaches in the nation with a 138-43 record. From 1976 to 1978, his final three squads combined for a 66-17 record and appeared in three Division III regional tournaments.
“His college career was cut short when he signed a professional contract with the New York Yankees in 1958. Domzalski spent six years in the Yankees’ organization as a third baseman, batting consistently near .300.”
Pawlush wrote much more about Coach Domzalski.
“Prior to Wilkes, Domzalski enjoyed a rich history as an athlete beginning at Newport Township High School, where he earned nine letters for football, basketball, and baseball. After graduating in 1957, he accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Wyoming. During his first season on the football team, Domzalski was a running back and kickoff returner. The team played in the postseason Sun Bowl. In spring 1958, he was the starting shortstop for the Wyoming baseball team and hit .327.
“After retiring from baseball in 1964, he returned to Wyoming to complete his bachelor’s degree. Domzalski also served as a student assistant coach on the baseball team. He came back to the Wyoming Valley in 1965 to teach and coach basketball at Newport Township. When the Greater Nanticoke Area School District was founded in 1966, he was the first baseball coach, leading the team to one PIAA District II championship and three Southern Division championships in three years. He joined the Wilkes physical education faculty for the 1968 fall semester and assisted Rollie Schmidt as line coach on the 8-0 undefeated team. Domzalski assumed the baseball coaching reins from Schmidt in 1970, when he later took over as coach of the golf team.”
Dave Kaschak ’71, MS ’81, who succeeded Domzalski as the Wilkes baseball coach in 1979, was the starting catcher on his 1970 and 1971 squads. He remembered that Domzalski had immediate credibility with his players because of his extensive baseball background.
Pawlush interviewed Kaschak, who said, “Gene treated everyone the same. We all had a chance. He met with us by position and told us where we stood. “He instilled in us a work ethic and discipline that made us successful in baseball and in life.”
All of Coach Domzalski’s players feel the same way, as do his friends, colleagues, and most of all, his family.
In 2023, Coach Domzalski was inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame — an honor he truly deserved.
As far as this weekend’s reunion, Monk said, “It was a lot of work, but it’s truly been a labor of love.”
The 1976 team featured many stellar performers, like Don McDermott, Jim Stehle, Tony Schwab, Dave Trethaway, Greg Snyder, Steve Leskiw, Jack Keller, Jim Michaels, Lou Elefante, Barry Harcharufka, Ken Suchoski, Steve Grasley, Bill Hockenbury, Andy Kresky, Dan Pisarcik, Dave Hungarter, and Mike Supczenski.
All were great players on a great team.
Guided by a truly great coach and great man.
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