Coach William Max Welch

Coach William Max Welch of Terre Haute passed away at Union Hospital in the early morning hours of December 22, 2020. He was born nearly 97 years ago in Terre Haute on January 14, 1924 to Thomas C. Welch and Margaret Dildine Welch. He was preceded in death by four brothers – James, Robert, Winston and Forrest Welch and one sister, Dorothy Williamson. He is survived by several nieces and nephews along with their many children and grandchildren. Bill Welch grew up in Terre Haute and graduated from Gerstmeyer High School.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Indiana State Teachers College in 1950. In 1963, he earned his Master of Science degree, also at Indiana State. His years between high school and college were spent in the United States Army. Welch served in the European Theatre of World War II from August of 1944 until December of 1945, as a member of the 3rd Army, 12th Corp, 255th Field Artillery Battalion under General George S. Patton. With a rank of Sergeant, he participated in four battle campaigns – Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Mr. Welch’s teaching career began in 1951 at Gerstmeyer High School and continued there until the school closed in 1971. He then moved to the newly opened Terre Haute North Vigo High School and taught there until 1984. For five years at North, Mr. Welch also served as the school’s athletic director. His coaching career, which became his life’s passion, also began at Gerstmeyer, in 1951, as an assistant coach in basketball and football. He served as the school’s head baseball coach for three years and was coach of the American Junior Legion Team of Wayne Newton Post #346 from 1951 to 1960. He Legion teams won three Indiana State Championships. Coach Welch took over the cross country and track teams in 1955 and coached them until 1969. At Terre Haute North, he was the head track and field coach between 1971 and 1973 and head cross country coach from 1971 through 1981. In 1982, he took his coaching skills to the college level when he became the head cross country coach at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He held this position for twenty years, until 2002, and also was the head track coach there from 1987 through 2003. In addition, he served as the National Track and field Coach for the country of Iran in 1964, helping the country’s team prepare for the 1964 Olympic Games. Coach Welch was also a lead track and field official at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Coach was a leader and an innovator in his field, developing training techniques that are now considered common. Coach Welch’s awards and accolades are numerous. He was named the National Track and Field Coach of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association in 1970. In 1968, he was named the Indiana Track and Field Coach of the Year and, in 1972, he was named the Indiana Cross Country Coach of the Year. In 1977, Coach Welch was enshrined in the national Track and Field Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Indiana High School Track and Field Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Indiana High School Track and Field hall of Fame in 1990. Coach Welch as since been inducted into the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Athletic hall of Fame and the Indiana State University Athletic Hall of Fame. The outdoor running tracks at Rose-Hulman and at Terre Haute North Vigo High School are named after him. During his time as high School track coach, Coach Welch produced four individual state champions, five future college All Americans, Twenty Sectional Team titles, and eight Regional team titles. In 1972, he brought Terre Haute its first high school state championship in any sport, when his Terre Haute North team won the IHSAA Cross Country Championship. He coached many well-known athletes during his career, the most famous being Major League Baseball’s Tommy John. He excelled in coaching track and field and he also mentored seven All –Americans during his time at Rose-Hulman. Coach Welch’s teaching and coaching career continued until his death and his wisdom will live on in the hearts and minds of his many students and athletes. He has shaped the lives of literally thousands of young men and women over his long career. Coach was a teacher, a mentor, a motivator, and a friend to all of the young people that were lucky enough to work with him. Many have used his coaching lessons and advice to pave the way to successful careers in business and industry. He will be missed by many. Due to the current environment and possible health risk, a celebration of Coach Welch’s life will take place at a later time. In lieu of flowers, his family and friends suggest a contribution to the William M. Welch Scholarship Fund at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Greiner Funeral Home 2005 North 13th Street was entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.greinerfuneralhome.com

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