Fisher’s Files: Baldwin track coach Ed Helbig surprised by hall of fame honor

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, April 21, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Baldwin coach Ed Helbig has been battling serious health issues since June.

But he received great news away from the hospital setting this past winter. Helbig was selected for induction into the Baldwin Athletic Hall of Fame.

“I was totally surprised,” Helbig said. “When I found out the group that was being inducted, I was honored. Especially when I was informed that two other individuals were Bunny Schmidt, who I graduated with from high school, and Rich Wright, my fifth brother. Rich and I have been together for a while, and I can’t think of anyone else that deserved this honor more than Rich. I consider being inducted with Rich and honor.

“When I started coaching, I did it because I always felt coaching was an extension on the classroom, only dealing with individuals who wanted to be there, set goals and worked toward achieving those goals knowing they may fail several times before achieving success. The fun part of coaching is the mentally and physically preparing of the athletes for competition.”

Helbig has been involved in coaching for almost five decades.

He is in his 49th year as a track and field coach in the district, serving as an assistant for 19 years then as head coach for 30 years. He also has been Baldwin’s indoor track coach for 27 years.

Helbig has earned two WPIAL team championships, five WPIAL runner-up finishes and 38 section titles and has coached 75 WPIAL individual champions and 15 PIAA individual titlists. He has been involved in the TSTCA, WPIAL and PIAA steering committees and also is a licensed track and field official.

“I have coached several sports — track and field for 49 years, football for 40, indoor track and field for 29 and wresting for 20,” he said. ”I remember a quote by John Wooden, ‘Most coaches are judged by their win and loss record or what their resume says they have done. A good coach can change the outcome of a contest. But a great coach can change a life.’

“Somewhere in the 49 years I’ve been coaching, I hope I’ve been able to help my athletes become better individuals and parents.”

The HOF induction ceremony took place Feb. 12 in the LGI at the high school with more than 100 people in attendance.

Wrestling coach to resign

Thomas Jefferson coach Michael Ladick is a “wrestling lifer.” Well, almost.

Ladick and his father, Bob, have coached the Jaguars for nine years.

“Next season will be our 10th at TJ,” Ladick said. “And yes, it is true that next year will be my last year coaching.”

It also will be Ladick’s 19th year of coaching, first as an assistant at Waynesburg University (2006-07) and Riverview (2007-08), along with his head coaching stints at South Fayette (2008-11), Penn Hills (2011-2015) and TJ.

“I am incredibly grateful for my time at TJ and believe the next coach is getting a great group of wrestlers and parents to work with,” Ladick said, “and will undoubtedly strive for the same goals we set, met and attempted, if not more.”

Tags: Baldwin