Honoring Bucky Burgau
Concordia baseball coach Bucky Burgau says he is humbled by the honor of having the baseball field where he has coached for 36 years named after him.
"Bucky Burgau Field" was dedicated Monday, May 5 by the college with Burgau's family and many former players in attendance.
"It is a deep honor for my family and me," says Burgau about the naming of the field. "I am honored and humbled. My family has been a great supporter of mine throughout my baseball career. Us coaches know how important mom and dads are for their kids playing baseball."
Dr. Eric Eliason, dean of the college, says Burgau is a true standout at the college. Eliason says each summer Burgau volunteers to teach international students about baseball and how it relates to American culture.
"That's just one shining example of what Bucky does for students and it shows how important baseball is to him. Bucky Burgau means so much to Concordia College. It's fitting that this field is named to honor him."
Burgau is the all-time winningest coach in the history of Concordia athletics. He has more than 700 career wins and more than 400 wins in the MIAC, making him also the winningest coach in the conference. Burgau was elected to the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007, one of the few coaches ever to be inducted while still an active coach. He currently ranks 12th on the all-time list of wins by active NCAA Division III baseball coaches.
"Concordia has given me and my family 10-fold more than I have ever given to the college," says Burgau.
Former athletic director Dr. Larry Papenfuss says Burgau has left a lasting impression on generations of baseball players and students at Concordia.
"From my perspective, it's not the wins or losses that made this day possible, it's the character of the man and the lessons he teaches," says Papenfuss. "When baseball players came to Concordia, they know they'll be coached by the best."
Burgau began work in the athletic department as equipment manager in 1977, and was assistant baseball coach to his father-in-law, Sonny Gulsvig. Burgau became head coach in 1979 and since then his teams have won MIAC titles in 1985, 1993, and 1995.