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Following is an excerpt from Dodgeville Capturing Hearts, a book written by Rick Birk about the the 1963 and 1964 Dodgeville basketball teams that finished second in their first appearance then won the state tournament the next year. The book will be available next week at several Dodgeville locations. The book sells for $18 and a share of the profits will go to the Dodgeville Area Scholarship Fund, Inc (DASFI)
Even as basketball drew to a close for the 1963-64 year, the season was still on the minds of many in Dodgeville. The excitement and success of the Dodger team had never before reached such a heightened state. However, for many of the school's all-around student athletes, it was simply time to don another uniform and prepare for the next sport. The nucleus of the basketball team that had competed in Madison sent eight members to the baseball team and three to track.
Track-and-field was the venue chosen by Rick Brown, Bill Polkinghorn and Pat Flynn in which to spend their afternoons in the spring of 1963. They were coached by Joe Whitford. Rick Brown chose to compete in the high jump and the 440-yard run while Bill Polkinghorn threw the shot put and discus and also competed in the 440. Pat Flynn participated in both the long jump and the high jump. (See appendix for a complete listing of all team members.)
When Pat Reilly, Brian Olson, Duane Honerbaum, Corky Evans, Bruce Harrison, Dennis Morgan, Dave Johanning, and Bob Rock all eagerly showed up for baseball practice on day one, they were greeted by a familiar face-Coach Wilson. Coach Wilson had a vast sports knowledge as both a player and a coach.
Coach Wilson was a perfectionist and a huge believer in fundamentals no matter which sport was involved. He had a special knack of working well with the pitchers. Wilson had previously played minor league baseball and was a teammate of Stan Musial in the Cardinals organization. When the spring weather was inclement, the team would take to the gym on occasion. The team practiced hard and fundamentals were emphasized on a regular basis. However, even Coach Wilson needed a little comic relief ever so often. According to Dick Stephens, a sophomore and 1963 pitcher, one of those moments involved catcher and future minor leaguer Corky Evans. "Corky had a younger brother named Joe who was pitching batting practice. Coach Wilson was watching from the stands behind home plate and when Corky came up to hit, Coach Wilson signaled Joe (without Corky knowing he was signaling to Joe) to throw up and tight to Cork. Joe, of course, followed what coach was asking. Cork didn't appreciate Joe doing that, and after a couple of pitches, he swung and missed with the intent of throwing his bat directly back at Joe. Cork issued Joe a strong reprimand and to the rest of us, it was a funny situation. Cork didn't think it was funny."