By Quincy Burns

9/5/2024

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University athletic department recently learned the sad news of the passing of former coach, professor and administrator, Roger Welsh. Welsh, who was 81 at the time of his passing, held various roles from baseball coach to head football coach to athletic director over the course of a 32-year career at Capital.

“In his many roles, Roger left a lasting impact on Capital University and the Athletics Department,” said current Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Darrell Bailey Sr. “My conversations with others made me understand that Roger not only helped shape athletes but individuals who carried the lessons learned on the field into the game of life. His accomplishments will be remembered for years to come. Our condolences go out to his family and all those he held near and dear.”

Welsh was hired at Capital as the head baseball coach and assistant football coach in 1975. During his 11 years as the head baseball coach, Welsh amassed a record of 163-170 overall, highlighted by a 20-win season during the 1979 campaign – a year in which he mentored the first All-American in program history. Throughout his oversight of the baseball program, Welsh coached one All-American, four Academic All-Americans, and several All-OAC selections.

Eventually, in 1986, Welsh succeeded Gene Slaughter as Head Football Coach. In just his second season, Welsh guided the Purple and White to the program’s only OAC Championship and their first NCAA Tournament appearance. That season’s team compiled a record of 7-2-2 and Welsh was named the OAC Coach of the Year. Overall, Welsh compiled a record of 41-65-4 across an 11-year span as head football coach. During that time, Welsh was instrumental in the mentorship of nine All-Americans, four OAC Players of the Year, and 18 All-OAC student-athletes. Welsh also had the pleasure of coaching his son Mark during his four-year career as a student-athlete at Capital.

Once making way as head football coach for Jim Collins before the 1997 season, Welsh shifted his full attention to serving the university as the Athletic Director – again succeeding Gene Slaughter. In his role as the AD, Welsh oversaw the department during maybe one of its most successful tenures in school history with two National Championships and dozens of other conference titles and NCAA playoff appearances happening over that stretch.

Additionally, one of his greatest accomplishments as AD was initiating one of the most aggressive building campaigns in school history that included the funding, planning and designing of the then-$20 million Capital Center and Bernlohr Stadium, which opened in 2001. This facility continues to serve Capital student-athletes to this day and has also served as the host site for several high-level sporting events including NCAA tournament rounds, The Basketball Tournament, the 2011 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field National Championships and most recently the 2024 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Semifinals and Finals. In addition to athletic events, The Capital Center hosts several large-scale university and community events such as the undergraduate and law school commencement ceremonies and more.

On top of his roles in coaching and administration within the athletic department, Welsh also served as an Assistant Professor in the physical education department.

All of Roger’s immense contributions to Capital University earned him induction into the university’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.

Prior to arriving at Capital, Welsh spent eight years coaching baseball and football at the College of Wooster. He earned his Master’s Degree at Ohio University where he was a graduate assistant coach as well. He was also a graduate of Grandview Heights High School and then Muskingum College where he competed in both football and baseball. He is also a member of the Halls of Fame at Grandview Heights and Muskingum.

COURTESY CAPITAL ATHLETICS