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(L-R) Athletics Director Darryl Sims, Mitchell Poppen, Kevin Mlodik, Tiffany Losinski, Vicki Drewa, Deb Vercauteren, Aaron Richartz, John Zupanc, Jennifer Petricek
(L-R) Athletics Director Darryl Sims, Mitchell Poppen, Kevin Mlodik, Tiffany Losinski, Vicki Drewa, Deb Vercauteren, Aaron Richartz, John Zupanc, Jennifer Petricek

Mlodik, Richartz Inducted Into Hall Of Fame

UW-Oshkosh welcomed its largest class ever at the Hall of Fame and Senior Awards Banquet on Sunday (May 5) in Reeve Memorial Union.

Eight inductees went into the Hall of Fame. Tiffany (Barden) Losinski, Vicki Drewa, Kevin Mlodik, Jennifer (Pekulik) Petricek, Mitchell Poppen, Aaron Richartz, Deb Vercauteren and John Zupanc joined the exclusive club, which now has 174 members.

The UW-Oshkosh Hall of Fame was established in 1974 to give tribute and deserved recognition to former athletes, coaches and friends of the university. It is also intended to enhance school tradition by honoring those people who have shown exceptional ability while on the UW-Oshkosh campus and since graduation.

The 1994 baseball season couldn't have gone any better for Kevin Mlodik. He started eight games and posted an 8-0 record. UW-Oshkosh then won the national championship.

The Titans captured a WIAC title and reached the NCAA Division III World Series during each of Mlodik's three seasons. For his career, Mlodik ranks eighth in league history with a 2.50 earned run average.

During 1993, UW-Oshkosh went 28-15 and advanced to the national title game, where it fell to Montclair State University (N.J.) by a 3-1 score. Mlodik finished his first season with a 1-1 record and 15 strikeouts in 11.1 innings.

Mlodik was dominant in 1994 as the Titans posted the best season (41-4) in program history. He threw a complete game in seven of his eight starts, including three shutouts. Mlodik compiled a miniscule 0.93 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 58 innings to earn spots on the All-WIAC and All-Midwest Region teams. UW-Oshkosh won its final 13 games while taking the national crown.

Increasing his workload in 1995, Mlodik broke the school record with 89.1 innings pitched. He fanned 79 batters, to go with a 10-3 record and five complete games. Mlodik finished with two shutouts and a 2.52 ERA to gain All-America honors. UW-Oshkosh (39-5) booked 24 straight wins late in the year before placing third at the NCAA Division III Championship.

Mlodik pitched in 27 games for the Titans, totaling a 19-4 record, 12 complete games, five shutouts and 162 strikeouts over 158.2 innings. With Mlodik on the roster, UW-Oshkosh compiled an overall record of 108-24.

"Kevin was the leader of our pitching staff and won all the big games," coach Tom Lechnir said. "He is the epitome of the word 'class.'"

In the 1995 MLB Draft, the Oakland Athletics picked Mlodik during the 14th round. He spent five years in the minor leagues and was named the Dave Stewart Community Player of the Year during 1996. At the A level, Mlodik recorded a 2.53 ERA and 167 strikeouts over 156.1 innings.

A graduate of Rosholt High School, Mlodik spent the last 13 years teaching in Wisconsin Rapids. He's also coached youth baseball for the past 11 years.

Aaron Richartz manned the hot corner from 1991-94 as UW-Oshkosh had one of the best runs in NCAA Division III history. The third baseman earned three All-America awards, while the Titans made the World Series all four years.

UW-Oshkosh won the WIAC title every season with Richartz on the roster. His freshman campaign featured 31 hits, 19 runs batted in and 18 runs scored as the Titans (27-15) finished third at the NCAA Division III Championship.

Richartz was named to the All-WIAC, All-Midwest Region and All-America first teams during 1992. He totaled nine home runs, 40 RBI and 44 runs scored. Richartz played in all 44 games for UW-Oshkosh, which went 36-8 to place fifth at the national tournament.

The Titans advanced all the way to the NCAA Division III final in 1993, but settled for second place after a 3-1 defeat to Montclair State University (N.J.). Richartz finished the season with eight homers, 31 RBI and 24 runs scored.

UW-Oshkosh bounced back with the top record in program history (41-4) during 1994. Richartz crushed 17 home runs – a total that's been eclipsed by just seven WIAC players in the past 20 years. He also racked up 64 hits, 56 RBI and 63 runs scored in 45 games. The Titans capped the year with a 6-2 win over Wesleyan University (Conn.) for the national championship.

"Aaron is one of the strongest leaders we've ever had," coach Tom Lechnir said. "He made everyone around him better. He never gave an inch, and he had an outstanding work ethic on and off the field."

Richartz, a member of the WIAC All-Centennial Baseball Team, finished his 163-game career with a .371 batting average, 35 home runs, 146 RBI and 149 runs scored.

During his four years, the Titans compiled an overall record of 132-42.

"I made a point to read every single Hall of Fame inductee plaque while I was at UW-Oshkosh," Richartz said. "It's a great honor to be included with this group of men and women."

Since 2005, Richartz has been the Executive Services Manager for Mail Source, Inc. The Menomonie High School graduate lives in Menomonie with his wife, Jamie, and sons, Blais and Brigs.

By Jon Feyen