Bio

Take a look in the dictionary for the meaning of the word consistency and one could very well find the name of Tom Lechnir, with special mention of his UW-Oshkosh baseball tenure as player, assistant coach and head coach.

Before taking the reins as the current head coach of the Titans, Lechnir was an intricate part as a player on a team that went 101-29 during a four-year period from 1979-82. UW-Oshkosh appeared in three NCAA Division III World Series and captured four WIAC championships with Lechnir roaming the outfield.

Lechnir saw his first regular action with the Titans in 1980. He hit .330 for UW-Oshkosh that year with eight home runs and 40 runs batted in. In 1981, the Mosinee native hit .289 with seven home runs and 38 runs batted in. Lechnir's senior season of 1982 was his finest as he hit .369 with eight home runs and 50 runs batted in. During an 11-2 win over UW-Eau Claire that year, he belted three home runs, a UW-Oshkosh record that stood for nearly 14 seasons.

After his playing days were over, Lechnir remained at UW-Oshkosh to serve as an assistant to head coach Russ Tiedemann. The Mosinee High School graduate served as an assistant coach from 1983-88, with the Titans compiling a 193-36-1 record, one NCAA Division III championship and six WIAC titles. In addition, UW-Oshkosh participated in five NCAA Division III World Series, had 17 athletes gain All-America accolades and had six players drafted to professional baseball during Lechnir's tenure. Among the professional draft picks was Terry Jorgensen, a hall of fame inductee tonight and a player Lechnir recruited.

Since being named head baseball coach in 1989, Lechnir has continued and improved upon the tradition of the UW-Oshkosh program. During his 12-plus seasons, the Titans have claimed one NCAA Division III title and 10 WIAC championships while fashioning an impressive 409-114 record and appearing in eight NCAA Division III World Series. In addition, he has tutored 32 NCAA Division III All-Americans and 14 professional draft selections, including current major league player Jarrod Washburn of the Anaheim Angels. Lechnir entered the 2001 season with a .781 winning percentage as head coach, the fourth-highest mark among active coaches in the NCAA Division III.

In all, Lechnir has been a part of two NCAA Division III titles, 20 WIAC championships and a 703-179-1 record as player, assistant coach and head coach at UW-Oshkosh.

Lechnir, a 1983 graduate of UW-Oshkosh, lives in Oshkosh with his wife, Tina, and their twin sons.