By Greg Bates
Sports Editor
DE PERE – Joe Rukamp’s reputation as a great baseball coach in Wisconsin is reflected by the product he puts on the field each spring.
It’s also by the way his players conduct themselves away from the diamond. The West De Pere guys learn directly from their example-driven coach.
Rukamp was recently honored with an Ethics in Coaching Award by the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association. It is presented to a baseball coach who displays respect, character, integrity and class.
“It means a lot as a coach to know that this comes from other baseball coaches,” Rukamp said. “This is the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association, and I honestly have no idea who nominated me or how the selection process went for that. But it’s really cool when you know it’s your peers and other coaches that respect what you do or see it enough that they appreciate it. I think that’s huge. To me, that means more than the 300 wins and things like that.
“As a coach, you want your kids just to learn life lessons and stuff, and I feel like this is an award that kind of shows that maybe some people recognize that and that’s what we try to do in our program.”
Rukamp, who enters his 17th season as Phantoms head coach and 24th overall in the program, has a career record of 301-116. His teams have won 10 conference championships, advanced to state five times and captured a state title in 2008.
Rukamp’s philosophy as a coach stems from his work with students in the classroom as a chemistry teacher.
“I 100% as a teacher and a coach just think it’s about building relationships,” Rukamp said. “To me, whether it’s in the classroom or coaching kids in our program, just getting to know them and talk to them. I always want them to feel like they know that I have their back and I think that makes kids want to play hard and play for you, so to speak, if they know you’re on their side.”
West De Pere assistant coach Adam Smet has been in the baseball program for six years and has watched Rukamp’s approach with the players.
“There is no one more deserving of this award than Ru,” Smet said. “Throughout his career, he has always put his players first and has not compromised his values in any circumstance. He has always led by example in how to treat others with respect on and off the field. His interactions with the players shows how much he cares about them and wants them to succeed. He cares more about the men they will become once they leave the program than the wins and losses.”
Rukamp’s players agree that he’s a coach who always goes above and beyond what’s expected.
“I am so happy for coach Rukamp. I think he is very well deserving of this award,” West De Pere senior Thomas Walder said. “He is everything you want in a coach. You can tell that he cares for every one of his players. He is always putting the team first before himself. He is the type of coach that you look up to and want to be like. Coach is the most selfless person I know, always praising others before himself. I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of such a great baseball program led by him for the past four years. I know he has had a positive impact on my life that I will not forget as I head off to college next year.”
Fellow senior Benje Hencke noted that Rukamp believes in his players no matter the circumstance.
“He gives inspirational words of advice, helps teach life lessons and also has a positive smile,” Hencke said. “He doesn’t get upset — he wants you to learn from your mistakes. … It’s an honor to play for him.”
Rukamp, along with Homestead baseball coach Jason Kosanke, will receive an Ethics in Coaching Award during a Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame luncheon in Madison on Feb. 11.
“It just makes me proud to know that I feel like I represent what we want from West De Pere teachers and coaches and from our kids,” Rukamp said. “This feels good to know that people recognize that and that it’s appreciated. I just feel good for our whole community and our school for sure.”