BEREA, Ohio – On April 7, 2021, the Baldwin Wallace University Athletic Department and community lost one of its own as BW Athletics Alumni Hall of Famer and legendary cross country and track and field coach Dr. William Taraschke passed away at the age of 79.
In his honor, the University has established the Dr. William Taraschke Fund.
"The BW cross country and track and field coaching staff and team joins the rest of BW, family and friends in mourning the loss of Coach Taraschke," stated Head Track and Field Coach Jordan Hill '09. "There are simply no words that can justly describe the impact he had on the lives of thousands of student athletes, the BW community and the sport of track and field."
"Coach T was a force," Hill continued. "You cannot think of BW Track and Field and not think of him. Like so many others, he was the reason I attended BW and had the student athlete experience that I am forever grateful for. He had a passion for coaching and teaching that he passed on to hundreds of his own athletes and students, and had the ability to realize every athlete's potential, whether they believed it yet or not. He was tough, competitive and fair. Most importantly he was caring and helped us grow as people, not just as athletes. I can honestly say I am who I am today because of the life lessons I learned through track and from Coach T He made BW our home and the team our family."
During his outstanding career, Taraschke guided the BW men's and women's track and field teams for 31 seasons and the Yellow Jacket men's and women's cross country teams for 24 years. He also served as a professor in BW's Division of Health and Physical Education.
"All the memories and stories that former athletes, coaches and colleagues are remembering and sharing since his passing simply provide evidence of his magnitude and prowess," said Hall of Fame distance runner and Brown and Gold Club Vice President Tim Budic '02. "The amazing thing is, not one story or memory are the same. Coach T had the incredible ability to create intimate relationships and impact with each and every one of us. Profound, unforgettable and personal. That was his heart... the look in his eyes, the simple nods of affirmation that provided us all security. You were never unsure of his genuine care for you."
Budic concluded, "Coach T was a big man, a big presence and a big personality. But whenever you were with him, YOU felt bigger than life...his ability to elicit that was a superpower very, very few possess."
In his 31 seasons as indoor and outdoor track and field head coach, Taraschke led 35 teams to OAC championships, including 15 consecutive women's crowns from 1988 to 2002. In addition, 16 of his women's outdoor teams won OAC championships, including capturing seven straight on two separate occasions. Taraschke was named the NCAA Division III Women's Track and Field National Coach of the Year in both 1997 and 2002.
In 24 seasons at the helm of the BW cross country program, Taraschke guided 12 women's squads to OAC titles and 12 student-athletes to the OAC Runner of the Year award (nine women and three men). Prior to coaching cross country, he was a successful offensive backfield and kicking coach for the Yellow Jacket football program.
Before coming to Berea, Taraschke served as head coach in track and field as well as the defensive coordinator in football at Chadron State College in Nebraska from 1975 through 1983.
A two-time Mid-American Conference discus champion at Ohio University, Taraschke grew up in Toledo and graduated from Libbey High School. He received his undergraduate degree in 1964, his master's degree at Southern Illinois University in 1966 and his Ph.D. from the University of Toledo in 1984. Taraschke also coached at the high school level in Ohio at Milan Edison (1966-69), Canton GlenOak (1969-71) and Brookside (1971-75).
Taraschke was a member of the NCAA Track Coaches Association; the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; a member of numerous academic honoraries and a guest lecturer at many respected clinics. Taraschke also served as an NCAA Division III track & field chairperson and was the meet director for four NCAA national meets and Ohio State Games.
Taraschke is survived by his wife Dennie, son Jeff '94, daughters Jody, Kristi '98 and Kathy '06 and grandchildren Faith, Kaitlyn and Madison.
Friends may call on Monday, April 12, 2021 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory Milan Chapel, 1 S. Main St., Milan. Friends may also visit on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 from 3 p.m. until time of funeral services at 4 p.m. at the church where Bill and Dennie were married: Edison Memorial United Methodist Church, 10 E. Church St., Milan. The service will be broadcast live on the Groff Funeral Homes Facebook page Burial will follow in Milan Cemetery, Milan.
In lieu of flowers those wishing to contribute to Bill's memory may do so to the Dr. William Taraschke Fund at Baldwin Wallace University, 275 Eastland Rd., Berea, OH 44017.
