This is the 20th induction ceremony into the Paulding Athletic Hall of Fame at Keysor Field. Tim Hunter, John Gudakunst and the 1992 baseball team were inducted on Friday, August 30, 2019 before the Black Swamp Bowl game between Paulding and Wayne Trace.
1992 Paulding Baseball Team
The 1992 Baseball Team finished the season with a record 19-2. This team won the Northwest Conference, Sectional, and District Championships. They were also Regional-up.
Some of the highlights from this season include:
• Record: 19-2
• NWC Record: 9-1 and were Conference Champs
• Sectional Champs: Beat Van Wert 3-0 and St. Mary’s 4-2
• District Champs: Beat Oak Harbor 3-1 and Lake 14-0
• Regional Tournament: Beat University School 11-9 and lost in the Regional Finals to eventual State Champion Elyria West .94
• The Team Pitching ERA was with t h 170 strikeouts, 5 shutouts, and 1 no hitter.
• The Team Offense averaged 7.1-I runs per game and had a Batting Average of .279
• Finished the season ranked 8. in the AP State Rankings.
Team Members Include: Shane Stallard, Brett Kauser, Roy Mason, Brian Gorrell, Darrell Egnor, Jamie Rassman, Eric Shier, Brad Burtch, Rich Jasso, Dan Simpson, Chris Stork, Scott Detray, Chad Coppes, Ray Garza, Chad Young, and Brian Moore.
The team was lead by head coach John Gudakunst and assistant coach Mark Wooton.
John Gudakunst
John Gudakunst was the Head Varsity Baseball Coach at Paulding High School from 1978-1997.
He was a longtime teacher at Paulding High School. John was the Athletic Director from 2000‑2007. He coached at least one sport or was the Athletic Director for 35 years. Among many of his coaching positions were Girls Jr. High and JV Basketball, JV Softball, Boys Jr. High and Freshmen Basketball, JV Baseball, and Varsity Baseball.
As the Varsity Baseball Coach John had great success. His teams had an overall record of 253‑195 and a Northwest Conference record of 140-58, a winning percentage of .710. His teams won 7 NWC Championships and were 2nd in the NWC 7 times.
John had many good teams over his 20 year career, but 2 teams really stand out. The 1990 Varsity Baseball Team who finished the season with a 19-4 record, a NWC Championship, and were District Runner-up. As well as the 1992 Varsity Baseball Team who finished the season with a 19-2 record, a NWC Championship, a District Championship, and were Regional Runner‑up.
John went to Defiance College and earned 4 varsity letters in baseball.
John currently resides in Paulding, OH and is retired.
Tim Hunter
Tim is a 1965 graduate of Paulding High School. He earned 7 varsity letters while at Paulding, including 2 each in football and track, and 3 in basketball.
In football, Tim was a starter all 4 years in high school. He was All-League his junior and senior seasons. Tim earned 1st Team All Northwest Ohio and Honorable Mention All-Ohio honors during his Senior Season.
In basketball, Tim was a starter on the 1964-1965 team that played in the Regional
Tournament. He was an All-League selection during his Senior Season.
After high school, Tim went on to Wittenberg University and played football. While at
Wittenberg, he was a 3 year starter. Tim earned Honorable Mention AP All American and All‑Conference honors as a defensive guard during his Senior Season. He was awarded the Golden Helmet Trophy at the end of his Senior Season, which was awarded to the player that possessed mental and physical toughness, sacrifice, leadership by example, loyalty, and a winning attitude. This is one of Tim’s proudest accomplishments.
After college, Tim returned to Paulding for one year as the Co-Defensive Coordinator in
1969. The team went 8-1. He continued in education and was a high school principal for 27 years. Tim was also a college instructor for 5 years.
Tim currently resides in Fairfield, OH.
