Rob Wachholz

Rob Wachholz holds a special place in Woodchucks history as one of the original players in the team’s inaugural season in 1994. A local talent, Rob not only played for the Woodchucks but also returned to coach the team, making him one of the few individuals to have worn both hats.

A standout athlete from Wausau West High School, Rob had aspirations of playing baseball for the University of Wisconsin. However, when the program was discontinued just before his enrollment, he pivoted to Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, a Division III baseball powerhouse. At Wartburg, he excelled on the field, earning All-Conference honors as an outfielder in 1993 and 1994, and as a first baseman in 1995. His exceptional performance led to a recruitment opportunity with the Woodchucks in the summer of 1994 after his junior season.

Rob returned to the Woodchucks in 2000 as an assistant coach under Rob Smith and remained on staff during the team’s first Northwoods League Championship season in 2001. Beyond his time with the Woodchucks, Rob spent ten years coaching at Wausau West High School, helping to build a successful program that made two State Tournament appearances and developed future Woodchucks players Adam Kramer, John Roberts, and Seth McMullen.

Rob is now bringing his wealth of experience and passion for the game to JBA Clutch, where he continues to develop young athletes with the same commitment to excellence that defined his playing and coaching career. His history as a player and coach at various levels gives him a unique perspective to mentor and inspire the next generation of talent. With his leadership, JBA Clutch stands to benefit from his deep understanding of team dynamics, player development, and the resilience needed to succeed in the game of baseball.

Looking back, Rob credits baseball with teaching him invaluable life lessons. “Baseball taught me how to be a leader and how to deal with failure. You know you’re going to fail, so you need to learn how to respond when things don’t go well.” His legacy as both a player and coach continues to inspire the next generation of Woodchucks and JBA Clutch athletes alike.