John 'Buddy' Wansack
John "Bud" Wansack was a superb all-around athlete who went on to a terrific career as a player, coach and umpire, marking 55 years of continuous service to the sports of softball and baseball.He played two years of basketball at West Middlesex High School, a part of the team that made it to the state championship game in 1959 where they finished runner-up to Kutztown.
He went on to coach basketball for St. Michael's Byzantine Church team in the Mercer County Parochial League for 5 seasons, posting a 43-0 record in 1982 and winning a state title. He coached players that went on to set county records in high school and gain Division I scholarships.But it was on the diamond, where Bud really excelled in all areas of baseball and softball.
He played more than 21 years of softball, competing in more than 100 games some seasons against the best players in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. A prodigious home-run hitter, he led his team to the 1978 Class B State Championship as team captain.He played in prestigious open-division tournaments across the state, winning MVP awards on 4 occasions.He organized and coached the Sharon Steel Softball League for 6 years and formed the entire 9-team league before turning it over to a successor.
Bud is a renowned ASA softball umpire for more than 40 years. He umpired numerous state championship and qualifier games. He still works competitive tournaments in the region.A four-year letterman in baseball at West Middlesex, he played independent baseball for four seasons in the Pymatuning League.
He also coached a senior league baseball team, winning two Mercer County championships. His American Legion team won a county title as well. Several players went on to receive college scholarships and advance to pro competition.