Year Inducted – 2016

Chris is a local boy who was born on October 15, 1969. He is a 1988 graduate of Walsh Jesuit High School and a 1992 graduate of Miami University where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture. Upon graduation, he began working at the family business of Kaczmar Architects Incorporated where he is still employed. In 1999, he earned his license as a State of Ohio Registered Architect (NCARB). Coach Kaczmar returned to his high school alma mater as an assistant baseball coach in the 1995 season and then was named the head coach in 1997. During the past 20 years as head coach, his teams have won 9 conference championships, 17 Sectional titles, 12 District titles, 3 Regional runner-up finishes, 6 Regional titles, 2 State runner-up finishes, and 4 State Championships. His teams have also earned 2 State Poll Championships, 2014 being the latest, as well as 4 State Poll runner-up finishes. Over those 20 years as head coach, the Warriors have a 490-94 record. During his tenure at WJ, 102 players have advanced to play collegiate baseball, including twenty-six All-Ohio players, four (4) Ohio Players of the Year, and six players have been drafted in the MLB June draft. He and his wife of nineteen years Bethany have four children: Emma (17), Stanley (15), Henry (13) and Lucille (11). Some of his awards include: 1999 ABCA Midwest Regional Coach of the Year , 1999 National High School Coach of the Year Finalist, 2001 Cleveland Plain Dealer Medina – Summit ; Portage Coach of the Year, 2001 Cleveland Plain Dealer Seven County Coach of the Year, 2004 Cleveland Plain Dealer Medina – Summit ; Portage Coach of the Year, 2004 NHSBCA Midwest Regional Coach of the Year, 2004 National High School Coach of the Year Finalist, 2005 Cuyahoga River Baseball Conference Coach of the Year, 2005 Record Publishing Coach of the Year, 2006 Cuyahoga River Baseball Conference Coach of the Year, 2006 ABCA Midwest Regional Coach of the Year, 2006 National High School Coach of the Year Finalist, 2007 Ohio Division II Coach of the Year, 2008 Record Publishing Coach of the Year, 2009 ABCA Midwest Regional Coach of the Year, 2009 National High School Coach of the Year Finalist, 2010 Cuyahoga River Baseball Conference Coach of the Year, 2010 NEOBCA Hall of Fame inductee, 2011 Cuyahoga River Baseball Conference Coach of the Year, 2011 National Easton Sports Master Coach Award winner, 2011 NFHS Ohio Coach of the Year and Section 2/National Coach of the Year candidate, 2014 North Coast League Coach of the Year, 2015 North Coast League Coach of the Year, 2015 OHSBCA Hall of Fame inductee, 2016 Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame inductee.