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- Year:
- 1953-1955; 1964-1995
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- Sports Played:
- Baseball & Basketball Athlete; Men's Volleyball & Basketball Coach
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- Induction Year:
- 2011
Bio
Bob Wetzel spent 31 years at OCC as a coach and helped pave the way for one of the most successful programs at the school — the Pirate men’s volleyball team. In 11 seasons as the skipper (1978–82 and 1987–92), Wetzel helped guide Coast to a 231–61 (.791 winning percentage) record, seven conference titles and four state championships.
In three years as the men’s basketball head coach, Wetzel posted a 58–38 (.604) record and two conference titles. His 1967–68 squad holds the school record in scoring with 3,404 points, which surpassed his 1966–67 team’s total of 3,038 points — the only two years of 3,000–point seasons for the Pirates. Perhaps the stat of all stats … during those two incredible seasons, the Pirates scored 100–or–more points 29 times. In the 41 seasons since then, OCC has accomplished that feat just 35 times!
In addition to his coaching career at Coast, Wetzel enjoyed a successful career as a Pirate athlete from 1953–1955, playing baseball and basketball. He batted .434 for the 1955 Pirates with 30 RBI and 41 runs scored, helping OCC to a 21–7 record and a conference championship.
Among the great athletes Wetzel coached during his tenure at OCC include Steve Timmons, Brian Lewis in volleyball and John Vallely and Bruce Chapman in basketball.
