Lewis University Athletics

Don Markelz pitched at Lewis on three national championship teams during 1974, 1975 and 1976 and was on the team from 1972-1976.  Markelz pitched 8 and 2/3 innings in the 1974 championship game as the Flyers beat Sam Houston State, 3-2. 

Markelz also pitched nine complete innings in the 1975 championship game in a 2-1 victory over Sam Houston State.  Markelz was chosen Most Valuable Player in the 1975 World Series, one of only four Flyers ever to receive the honor.

He has the enviable distinction of never having lost a game that he pitched in post season tournament play, compiling a perfect 11-0 record over a four-year period. 

Markelz was Associate Dean of Students at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox from 1978-1991. He also served as assistant football and assistant baseball coach. The Celtics were class AA baseball champs in both 1978 and 1982. 

In addition to coaching baseball, Markelz was also a football coach at Providence for 19 years.

Markelz was the pitching coach at Lockport High School from 1991-2017 where he was also the Dean of Students, where he helped lead the team to 14 SICA West Conference Titles, six regional titles, four sectional titles, a super sectional title and a state championship in 2005.

He is currently a volunteer coach for Lincoln Way West High School.

As a player, Markelz was inducted into the Providence Catholic Hall of Fame in 2005.