Schaudt decides to leave the diamond

After 22 years on the West Chicago softball diamond, Jim Schaudt felt the tug home.

The Wildcats' veteran softball coach announced this week that he will step down at the end of this, his 14th season as varsity coach.

"My wife's been a softball widow for over 20 years," Schaudt said. "I originally told her if I reached 10 years as a varsity coach I'd evaluate it every year. My wife, Barb, has been a great supporter. She needs me more now."

Schaudt will continue on at Glenside Middle School, where he has taught social studies since 1983.

It was at Glenside where Schaudt met long-time softball and basketball coach Lee Maciejewski. Schaudt followed Maciejewski to West Chicago High School as a volunteer assistant 22 years ago. He was a volunteer assistant for three years and freshman coach for five before being named varsity coach in 1994.

Heading into this season, Schaudt had amassed 229 wins with four DuPage Valley Conference championships. Under Schaudt, West Chicago won the school's first and only regional championship in softball in 1999.

"West Chicago has always held its own in the DVC," he said. "I'm most proud of the fact that we've had a consistent program and I look back at all the great people that I have worked with as players or coaches."

Schaudt is hopeful that one of those ex-players, current assistant Laurie Anderson, gets the call to succeed him.

The Wildcats have made Schaudt's last season a successful one thus far, with a 10-4 record heading into Thursday's game against Glenbard North.

"It's a great group," he said. "They're making my job easier."