Richard “Dick” Groch
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- Induction Year:
- 2017
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- Sport:
- Baseball
For close to two decades, SC4 baseball teams enjoyed success throughout the state and nationally thanks to the leadership of coach Richard “Dick” Groch.
Groch led the Skippers to three appearances in the National Junior College Athletic Association World Series during his 18 years in the dugout. He compiled a 497-165 win-loss record, which included eight Central Division, seven State and three North Central District titles.
The 1976 baseball team finished as the World Series runner-up. The Skippers posted a 3-2 record at Grand Junction, CO, losing 10-8 in the finals to Central Arizona College. Serving as batboys for the 1976 team were Groch’s sons, Brian and Nick.
The 1970 and 1972 squads also competed in the national tournament.
Groch, who also was a physical education instructor and basketball assistant coach at the college, received Coach of the Year honors three times.
During his career, Groch had 46 of his players go on to play professional baseball, with several eventually playing in the Major Leagues like Bill Nahorodny, Bill Fahey and Jeff Jones.
While at SC4, Groch was an assistant baseball coach with Team Canada and he was a long-time scout for the New York Yankees. The St. Clair resident remains involved in Major League Baseball as special assistant to the General Manager and Director of Pro Scouting/Player Personnel with the Milwaukee Brewers.
