Induction Video
(Written: June 2015)
The architect of the highly successful UW-Oshkosh baseball program, Dr. Russell G. Tiedemann coached the Titans for 20 seasons and compiled one national championship, 15 conference titles and more than 500 victories.
From 1968-69 and 1971-88, Tiedemann amassed a coaching record of 501-165-2. His .748 winning percentage ranks second in WIAC history, while his overall victories rank third. He guided the Titans to a conference championship during each of his last 10 seasons as head coach and was named national Coach of the Year in 1974 and 1985.
Tiedemann led UW-Oshkosh to the NCAA Division III World Series eight times and the NAIA World Series on three occasions. In 1985, UW-Oshkosh captured the NCAA Division III championship with a 37-3 record. Tiedemann’s Titans finished second in the country in 1987 and 1988.
Tiedemann saw 28 of his players sign professional baseball contracts, including Jim Gantner who played 17 years for the Milwaukee Brewers.
He is a member of the UW-Oshkosh, Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association, NAIA District 14 and American Baseball Coaches Association halls of fame. UW-Oshkosh’s baseball field is named in his honor. In 2012, he was selected the WIAC Baseball All-Time Co-Coach in conjunction with the conference’s Centennial Celebration.
Tiedemann earned a bachelor’s degree in education from UW-Oshkosh, master’s degree in education from the University of Northern Colorado and doctorate in education from the University of Utah. He resides in Wausau, Wis.
(Tiedemann passed away in November 2015)