Gordie Gillespie

From BR Bullpen

Gordon A. Gillespie

• Born April 14, 1926 in Chicago, IL USA

Coaching in the "minor leagues" of college baseball, Gordie Gillespie has quietly set the record for wins by a college baseball coach.

Coach Gillespie began his career as a head coach in baseball in 1953 at Lewis College. He coached at Lewis for 24 years, where he won 634 games and 3 NAIA titles. He then moved on to the former College of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. In 19 years at St. Francis, Gillespie won 804 more games and another national title. He served as athletic director at St. Francis from 1986 to 1995. Not to be outdone, Gillespie moved on to Ripon College in Wisconsin. He stayed ten seasons and made six playoff appearances.

In 2005, Gillespie announced he was returning to the University of St. Francis for the 2006 season. He currently has 1677 career victories.

In addition to his baseball victories, Gillespie coached football at Joliet Catholic Academy for 27 years. He won 222 games and five state titles at JCA. He was the high school coach of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger of the motion picture Rudy. He has also coached men's and women's basketball at the collegiate level.