Belief in kids is the foundation of Gnatzig’s approach
By Heather Ruenz
Editor
Hugh Gnatzig and his storied career playing high school and college basketball as well as a long stint coaching – all in Whitewater – has been told many times before. But that’s only part of the story.
While Gnatzig’s days of playing and coaching are past, he remains involved in the sport of basketball. In addition to being in charge of the officials for the local girls and boys basketball club, he still referees local middle school, freshman and junior varsity games.
At a middle school basketball game he was officiating earlier this year, it was clear Gnatzig has not lost his passion for the game. Before handing the ball over on an inbounds play he made sure the players knew what opponent they would be guarding. After blowing the whistle on a foul, he took the time to explain why he had called it.
In other words, Gnatzig, who retired as physical education teacher in the Whitewater Unified School District in 2010 and currently teaches Drivers Education through CESA, knows there’s always a lesson to be learned.
“When I’m around athletes, I want to give back to the game that means so much to me. When I’m around students, I want them to learn. It’s rewarding for me,” Gnatzig said.
Mark Maas, who was recently inducted into the Wisconsin Track Coaches Hall of Fame, and has worked with Gnatzig for years, said kids are drawn to him.
“One of the best things you can say about him is how much kids gravitate toward him,” Maas said. “They’re probably going to get a nickname too.”
During Gnatzig’s interview with a reporter, students began filtering into the classroom at Whitewater High School for drivers education class. The easy-going connection he has with the students was obvious.
One student told Gnatzig the fee for her behind-the-wheel training had been paid and asked if he needed proof of that.
“Of course I do,” Gnatzig said, quickly adding with a smile, “No, I’m kidding you. If you say it’s paid then I believe you. I have faith in you, you know.”
When another student entered the room Gnatzig asked him if he was ready to start driving. The student answered affirmatively.
“Good,” Gnatzig said, followed by a short pause. “Because I’ve contacted all of the necessary people – the police, the sheriff’s department – and warned them to keep an eye out for you.”
A few minutes later, he asked a student to retrieve a box from the top of a cabinet for the class. When she joked about hoping she didn’t fall, he said: “Don’t do that. The last thing we need is for you to hit your head. Then we’ll all be in trouble, especially you.”
Maas said the key is that, to Gnatzig, “everybody is somebody. He is able to communicate two very important words to his students: You matter.”
“You are important to me. It doesn’t matter who they are or what their position in life is… whether they’re a top student in the school or they struggle, everybody gets a full measure of dignity and respect from Hugh Gnatzig,” Maas added.
As a young child himself, Gnatzig said he was inspired watching older kids play pick-up basketball games at The Armory and Little League baseball at the park in Whitewater.
When he was old enough to take part himself, he discovered that sports came somewhat easy to him. “I liked playing any sport that was in season and would find pick up games,” he said.
Teaching, he later discovered, also came easy to him because of a simple fact: he enjoys helping kids, whether it be at school or on the court.
“It comes naturally to me. I like to help students in the classroom, and when I’m coaching to help prepare them for the next step in their lives,” Gnatzig said.
His son and current coach of the Whitewater High School boys varsity basketball team, Dan Gnatzig, said his dad has always used every opportunity possible to help kids.
“He takes the time to teach them and I think that comes from him being a teacher and his love of basketball. He teaches them about the game because he’s passionate about it,” Dan Gnatzig said.
According to Maas, Dan and Hugh Gnatzig are obviously cut from the same cloth.
“There was one speed for Danny when he played. He competed at the highest level he possibly could. Like father, like son, they both demanded a lot from themselves,” Maas said. “I’ll tell you, those were two guys who had no trouble diving for basketballs.”
Maas said if he had to name the most notable thing the Gnatzigs have in common it’s “a will to compete.”
“It didn’t matter who they were playing, they played as hard as they could at all times,” Maas added. “There was no slacking. That word simply doesn’t exist for them.”
Hugh Gnatzig, who has a calming presence about him, showed a bit of that competitive side when asked if he had any advice for other coaches.
“Listen to yourself. Do what you believe in,” he said.
“And don’t always listen to those who think they have all of the answers,” he added.
It’s no secret Gnatzig has the history – and records – to back his successful approach, in coaching and teaching. It’s a simple equation to him.
“Students and players are basically the same,” he said. “If you show them that you care about them as people they will give you all they have, in the classroom and on the court.”
His records still stand
The statistics for Hugh Gnatzig – as a basketball player in high school and college as well as a longtime high school coach, bear repeating.
Gnatzig remains atop the record book at Whitewater High School (1966-1970) as the all-time scoring leader with 1,608 career points and is on the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association’s list of 1,000-point scorers.
His career at WHS, Mark Maas said, is to be admired.
“Hugh still holds the basketball record for scoring at Whitewater High School and they didn’t have the three-point line back then. Think about that,” said Maas, a longtime coaching colleague of Gnatzig’s. “The guy is probably the greatest high school basketball player to ever come out of Whitewater High School.”
“He’s kind of been the face of basketball in Whitewater,” Gnatzig’s son, Dan, said. “From playing in high school and then at UW-Whitewater to being the coach at WHS for many years.”
As head coach for the boys varsity basketball team at Whitewater High School for 21 years (1989-2010,) he amassed a 230-210 record, and helped the program make a smooth transition from the Southern Lakes Conference to the Rock Valley North Conference.
While playing for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks, Hugh Gnatzig was a four-time letter winner, served as team captain in 1972, was the starting guard for the 1972-73 and 1973-74 championship teams and earned honorable mention all-conference honors two years. In 1991, he was inducted into the Warhawk Athletic Hall of Fame.
Some of his career college basketball stats remain in the Top 10 including free throw attempts (354,) free throws made (239) and assists (375.) He also ranks 18th in career field goal attempts with 834 and 30th in games played with 97.
Adam Knoll contributed to this story.
