Don Heuberger, Regis baseball coach, is flanked by members of his 2003 state championship team, Austin Moothart and Daniel Weis.
Don Heuberger, Regis baseball coach, is flanked by members of his 2003 state championship team, Austin Moothart and Daniel Weis.
STAYTON — Regis High School baseball coach Don Heuberger was inducted into the Oregon High School Baseball Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame Nov. 7 in Wilsonville.  A 1971 Regis alumni, Heuberger holds a resume that includes 674 career wins as a coach. He has accumulated more wins at one school than any other coach in Oregon history, with 617 of the victories coming from his time as coach at his alma mater.

After graduating from Regis, he went on to play baseball at Eastern Oregon State College before beginning a minor league career with the Portland Mavericks.

In his heart, though, he knew he wanted to return home and coach.

In an article in the Statesman Journal last April, Heuberger was quoted as saying, “I had dreams of coming back to Regis High School, that’s what I really wanted to do. I love this place. I remember watching my brothers play football, basketball, and baseball here and I just wanted to be a part of it.”

After coaching at Riddle High School in Southern Oregon for four years, Heuberger returned to Regis as the manager of the baseball team in 1983.

In his time there, he has lead the Rams to four state titles and is currently the second most winning coach in Oregon. During his 32 years as the head coach at Regis, he has kept his philosophy consistent.  

“I try to keep it simple, really,” Heuberger said. “You have to be able to run, throw, hit and catch. We don’t get real fancy at it when we practice, but we do practice the skills required to win every day and we got kids that have some talent.”

Despite his record, he is quick to point to the athletes he has coached as a reason for his success.

“It’s a privilege to be granted such a wonderful honor,” said Heuberger. “It is a testament to the many players that I have had the pleasure to coach while at Regis. I am sure the honor is being given, partially on the win-loss record of the coach... (and) the coach wouldn’t be honored if not for the dedicated and skilled athletes I have had the pleasure to call my team.”