Restarting the fire Wilson’s goal for YVCC baseball

Ray Funk hastened to add that it was not a factor in Yakima Valley Community College’s hiring of Ken Wilson as its new baseball coach.

Nonetheless, the Yaks athletic director couldn’t help noting Tuesday that, “the last Central (Washington University) guy who came out of retirement to coach at YVCC didn’t do too badly.”

That would be Dean Nicholson, who in 1995 revived a moribund Yaks men’s basketball program.

Wilson, meanwhile, said he hopes to “restart the fire.”

Having retired two years ago from an administrative job with the Selah School District, Wilson hopes to restore YVCC baseball to NWAACC prominence and add to its tradition.

Since 1950 the college has had only five baseball coaches — Bobo Brayton, Bill Faller, Bob Garretson Jr., Ken Mortensen (who announced is resignation last season) and Wilson.

“I worked for Bob Garretson and I’ve known Ken Mortensen for a long time,” Wilson said. “They’re both great people, class people. The thing that’s different with me is I don’t have a 40-hour work week in addition to trying to enhance the program like those guys did.”

The baseball job at YVCC has long been a part-time position, which in turn has made recruiting a problem for someone who has simultaneously held other employment.

“Bob and Ken didn’t have the opportunity I have,” Wilson said. “My goal, and I’ve been at this level before, is to make sure kids have some opportunities when they finish here. My job is to keep that vision for them.”

Wilson, 62, who began his career at Centralia College in 1979 and coached the Trailblazers to a 203-96-3 record and eight consecutive NWAACC tournament appearances, was Central Washington’s head man from 1987-91. The Wildcats were 80-40 during his tenure and reached the NAIA World Series in 1988.

He also spent 15 years as an administrator in the Ellensburg and Selah school districts, and during the 2000 and 2001 seasons assisted Garretson at YVCC.

Mortensen, who coached the Yaks over the past five seasons, compiled a 99-121 record and did not reach the playoffs although YVCC contended strongly last spring.