Lions Park Wall of Fame

Richie Wagener (2000)

Wagener grew up in Waconia Township and was a strong player on the high school baseball team.  His hitting and playing got him noticed by the Phillies minor league team.  At the same time, WWII was raging and he answered the call to the front.  He was injured in battle, ending his hope of a professional baseball career.  He never lost his passion for the game and continued to spread that love to others throughout his life.  Wagener died in 1999 and his family decided to donate $500 to the Islander baseball team.  The team decided to honor his name and establish the "Wall of Fame."

Robert Wyttenhove (2001)

Wyttenhove's contributions to Waconia baseball began the year he came to town in 1957 as the new physical education teacher.  The former high school baseball coach was also the head basketball coach and an assistant football coach.  He volunteered his time to the town team.  He formed a traveling t-ball team competing against other communities.  Wyttenhove organized the Waconia Bantam Athletic Association and helped build three baseball fields behind Bayview Elementary School, then the current high school.  He also served on the Town Team Board of Directors.

Hubie Kelzer (2002)

Hubie played town team ball from 1942 to 1966.  During that time, he managed the team for several years while playing third base and outfield.  He attended four All-Star games and volunteered for numerous committees and baseball activities.  Hubie still holds the record for home runs with 16 in 24 games, all with a wood bat.

Dick Mingo (2003)

Dick played amateur baseball for 20 years.  He coached high school baseball for 33 years.  Dick coached the Waconia High School baseball team from 1958 to 1968.  In those ten years, he had four conference co-championships and three conference championships.  He organized and managed the Minnesota Lions High School All-Star Baseball Tournament for 25 years.  This tournament raised about $200,000 for the MN Lions Childrens' Eye Clinic at the University of Minnesota.

Bob Leivermann (2004)

Bob was a member of the Lakers from 1956 to 1966 and built a reputation for swinging the bat.  During his Laker's career, Leivermann's batting average ranged between .348 and .563.  In a memorable moment from his career, he hit two home runs and finished with 10 RBI'S in a game in 1958.

Champ Fahse (2005)