News

Coach's death leaves vacancy

By Jaye Alderson
Compass Correspondent

Those television ads for the Community Blood Center are striking and memorable - an earnest, sincere-looking gentleman urging viewers that if a busy guy like him can find the time to donate blood, then so can they.

Michael Wautlet of Neenah was indeed a busy man. In addition to working for more than 30 years at First Supply of Appleton, he served as head varsity girls' and boys' track coach at St. Mary Central High School in the town of Menasha and football coach at Seton Catholic Middle School in Menasha; umpired summer softball games for Neenah Park and Recreation; gave unwavering support to the Twin Cities Catholic Education System; donated blood regularly; and was devoted to his wife, Sally, five children and a granddaughter.

So his death in a tragic car crash on Holy Saturday, April 7, was a shock to the entire community and leaves many empty spaces. Friends and colleagues remember Wautlet as friendly, dedicated and inspiring in the faithful way he lived his life.

"He had a very generous and caring spirit, and that shone," said Angela Brumm, public relations specialist for the Community Blood Center. "He came every eight weeks for more than 15 years to donate blood. Mike donated almost 10 gallons of blood. It's truly amazing, dedicating that much time to helping other people."

"Mike's convictions about blood donation included an eagerness to share his passion about the importance of donating blood. He played Santa for us. He was so excited to do that; he said, 'If Santa can find time to donate blood, then you can find the time to donate blood, too.' "

He also inspired many students.

"He was amazing; he was really sensitive and understanding," said Matt St. Peter, a senior at St. Mary Central. "He made people on the track team believe in themselves. He's the only reason I went out for track for four years. He was on a personal level with everyone. He had nicknames for everyone, knew everyone and cared about them. He had so much faith in everyone on the team. He would always make you feel good about what you did do and what you could do."

"He lived a life of a true Christian," added St. Peter. "He's with God now. (God) has got a good one."

Ryan Benrud, who now attends the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, had Wautlet as his track coach for three years.

"He was an amazing man," Benrud said. "He was one of the most selfless men I have ever known. I remember dozens of times after track practice when I would be in the weight room - by now it would be almost five o'clock. He always wanted to stay and keep me company, even until six or seven. I would frequently tell him that he could lock the door and go home; I could close the door when I left. He would always say, 'No, Ryan, I don't mind.' "

"Sometimes it would be only him and I in the entire school. I will admit that sometimes I just told him I was leaving so he could go home and spend time with his family. Then I would go back inside and finish. I felt guilty making him stay there. But I realized that he didn't stay because he thought I needed supervision or that he couldn't trust me, he stayed because he wanted to."

"He was also amazingly positive," Benrud continued. "He would tell every member of the team that he or she would win their race. Of course, this didn't always happen, and both Coach Wautlet and the runner knew this. It was just his way of telling everyone that he believed in us and was proud to be our coach."

He said he looks up to Wautlet.

"The term 'role model' is thrown around a lot, but I think that Coach Wautlet is one of the best examples of one I have ever come across in my life," Benrud said. "His unwavering faith, love and care for community are nothing short of a miracle."

Brian Rappl, a senior at St. Mary Central, also holds Wautlet up as an example for life.

"He was a very dedicated and compassionate man," he said. "He was always looking out for his athletes and always incredibly encouraging. He was always looking out for other people and was a good guy all-around. It's definitely a loss for St. Mary's. We're losing not only a good coach, but also a great mentor."

David Van Elzen, who coaches youth in the Sherwood area and often squared off against Wautlet's teams, witnessed the great impact Wautlet had on his athletes and others in the community.

"He is one of the most dedicated individuals I have ever met," Van Elzen said. "He put his heart and soul into his players. I know the kids liked Mike a lot. He was their coach, their manager, their equipment man, and he's a mainstay of Seton football. To know Mike Wautlet, you got to be a personal friend. I'm going to miss him. He was one heck of a nice guy."

Constance and Steve Willes of Menasha also remember Wautlet's friendliness.

"Where do you even begin?" Constance said. "I just think about how spectacular he was, how wonderful his wife was to share him with the community. Mike was just the sort of person you liked to run into, and he was a very wonderful person."

Her husband added, "I feel very fortunate I knew him. Everything you heard about him was nice and a total understatement. If you know him, in a matter of five seconds you consider him a friend. He's that kind of guy. He'll be truly missed by everybody who's ever known him."

Ralph McClone of Menasha, who coached at both Seton and St. Mary's before Wautlet took over, said, "He was a super guy. He was real popular with the kids. He was very well-thought of, the kids all liked him and he encouraged an awful lot of kids to go out for sports. It's going to be a big loss. He will be very much missed."

But despite the huge impact Wautlet made on so many people's lives, he had a humble attitude.

"He said, 'I'm just doing my part in this big world to help our community,'" Brumm said. "And that really sums it up for why he did what he did. I think that's what we'll remember at the blood center and in the community at large."