Dr. William Taraschke Endowed Fund
In his honor, the Dr. William Taraschke Endowed Fund has been established to benefit students in the BW track and field and cross country programs.
Baldwin Wallace University lost one of its own when BW athletics alumni hall of famer and legendary track and field and cross country coach, Dr. William Taraschke (Coach T) passed away at the age of 79 in April 2021.
During his outstanding career, Coach T 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 was also a professor in health and physical education.
"There are simply no words that can justly describe the impact Coach Taraschke had on the lives of thousands of student athletes, the BW community and the sport of track and field. You cannot think of BW track and field and not think of him. He made BW our home and the team our family." - Jordan Hill '09, Current BW Head Track and Field Coach
In 31 seasons as indoor and outdoor track and field head coach, Coach T led 35 teams to OAC championships, including 15 consecutive women's crowns from 1988 to 2002. Taraschke was named the NCAA Division III Women's Track and Field National Coach of the Year in 1997 and 2002. Prior to coaching cross country, he was a successful offensive backfield and kicking coach for the Yellow Jacket football program.
A two-time Mid-American Conference discus champion at Ohio University, Taraschke grew up in Toledo and graduated from Libbey High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Ohio University, master's degree from Southern Illinois University and Ph.D. from the University of Toledo.
"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."
- Tim Budic '02, Hall of Fame distance runner and Brown and Gold Club Vice President
Taraschke's family includes his wife Dennie, son Jeff '94, daughters Jody, Kristi '98 and Kathy '06, and grandchildren Faith, Kaitlyn and Madison.