Posted 4:52 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015
Basketball Coach Jim Gosz learned about the kind of coach he wanted to be from legendary UW-L coaches Roger Harring, Rollo Taylor and Bob Batchelder. They were good coaches and good people, explains Gosz. He has used that coaching mentality to help his team recently reach 500 wins.
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Milwaukee Rufus King High School Boys Basketball Coach Jim Gosz, ’85, was a physical education major. Photos by Michael McLoone.[/caption]
Basketball Coach Jim Gosz learned about the kind of coach he wanted to be from legendary UW-L coaches Roger Harring, Rollo Taylor and Bob Batchelder.
“All of my buddies played under those guys, and they had great respect for them,” he says.
They were good coaches and good people, explains Gosz. “I think kids want to play for that kind of coach."
Gosz has used that mentality as head boys basketball coach at Rufus King High School where his team recently reached 500 wins. The achievement makes Gosz the 26th boys coach in state history to tally that many wins.
He’s done it at a remarkable pace with a 500-94 record — the second-best winning percentage among coaches in the 500-victory club.
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Jim Gosz, left, with his father, Don Gosz. Photo by Michael McLoone.[/caption]
“What separates Jim Gosz is his ability to build relationships that these athletes can rely on,” says former UW-L Head Football Coach Roger Harring, '58 and '62. “He’s also a hard-working and very enthusiastic guy.”
Gosz notes he’s been fortunate to work with a lot of skilled players over the years. He’s been most motivated to help them grow — not only as athletes.
“I sometimes see the struggles these kids go through,” says Gosz. “I try to be someone who is comfortable for them to come to for help.”
Harring, who knew Gosz as a student, says he was a young person “you just knew would be successful.”
“When I read the article about his 500 wins, I sent him a note saying we’re very proud of everything he’s done,” adds Harring.
Gosz has received similar notes from others in the UW-L community. In fact, he says every time his basketball team makes it to the state tournament, it becomes a mini-UW-L reunion. “We take over the place,” he says. “It’s La Crosse and Rufus King.”
Gosz is grateful for all of his lasting UW-L relationships. “I have 40 best friends — and 38 are UW-La Crosse grads,” he says.
It was UW-L friends who initially helped Gosz realize his interest in studying physical education in college, which led to his career in teaching physical education and coaching. “It seemed like everyone was a physical education and recreation major in college — running around in sweat suits all day,” he says. “I didn’t think that would be my future, but my peers influenced me.”
Gosz is glad they did. He’s enjoyed his career and remembers his UW-L days fondly. He still has a “UW-La Crosse” sticker on the back windshield of his car and carries a UW-L keychain to work every day. He promotes UW-L to anyone who’s asking about college — including his own children. His son, Joe Gosz, now attends UW-L and is a student assistant men’s basketball coach.
Gosz’ UW-L loyalty was important to Harring when he was looking for help recruiting football players from Milwaukee. “He was a loyal alumnus who would always speak positively to students about UW-L,” says Harring.
Gosz says anytime he can, he is happy to share his admiration for UW-L.
“You don’t realize what an impact an institution has had on you until you are out,” he says.
Milwaukee Rufus King High School Boys Basketball Coach Jim Gosz, ’85, was a physical education major. Photos by Michael McLoone.[/caption]
Basketball Coach Jim Gosz learned about the kind of coach he wanted to be from legendary UW-L coaches Roger Harring, Rollo Taylor and Bob Batchelder.
“All of my buddies played under those guys, and they had great respect for them,” he says.
They were good coaches and good people, explains Gosz. “I think kids want to play for that kind of coach."
Gosz has used that mentality as head boys basketball coach at Rufus King High School where his team recently reached 500 wins. The achievement makes Gosz the 26th boys coach in state history to tally that many wins.
He’s done it at a remarkable pace with a 500-94 record — the second-best winning percentage among coaches in the 500-victory club.
[caption id="attachment_4731" align="alignleft" width="350"] Jim Gosz, left, with his father, Don Gosz. Photo by Michael McLoone.[/caption]
“What separates Jim Gosz is his ability to build relationships that these athletes can rely on,” says former UW-L Head Football Coach Roger Harring, '58 and '62. “He’s also a hard-working and very enthusiastic guy.”
Gosz notes he’s been fortunate to work with a lot of skilled players over the years. He’s been most motivated to help them grow — not only as athletes.
“I sometimes see the struggles these kids go through,” says Gosz. “I try to be someone who is comfortable for them to come to for help.”
Harring, who knew Gosz as a student, says he was a young person “you just knew would be successful.”
“When I read the article about his 500 wins, I sent him a note saying we’re very proud of everything he’s done,” adds Harring.
Gosz has received similar notes from others in the UW-L community. In fact, he says every time his basketball team makes it to the state tournament, it becomes a mini-UW-L reunion. “We take over the place,” he says. “It’s La Crosse and Rufus King.”
Gosz is grateful for all of his lasting UW-L relationships. “I have 40 best friends — and 38 are UW-La Crosse grads,” he says.
It was UW-L friends who initially helped Gosz realize his interest in studying physical education in college, which led to his career in teaching physical education and coaching. “It seemed like everyone was a physical education and recreation major in college — running around in sweat suits all day,” he says. “I didn’t think that would be my future, but my peers influenced me.”
Gosz is glad they did. He’s enjoyed his career and remembers his UW-L days fondly. He still has a “UW-La Crosse” sticker on the back windshield of his car and carries a UW-L keychain to work every day. He promotes UW-L to anyone who’s asking about college — including his own children. His son, Joe Gosz, now attends UW-L and is a student assistant men’s basketball coach.
Gosz’ UW-L loyalty was important to Harring when he was looking for help recruiting football players from Milwaukee. “He was a loyal alumnus who would always speak positively to students about UW-L,” says Harring.
Gosz says anytime he can, he is happy to share his admiration for UW-L.
“You don’t realize what an impact an institution has had on you until you are out,” he says.