The Bishop Ward High School Athletic Department is proud to announce that Mr. Kevin Walterbach has been named the Cyclone Boys’ Basketball Head Coach for the 2023-2024 year. Coach Walterbach is taking over the program from Coach Steve Stitzer, who has been with the Cyclones for four years.
Coach Kevin Walterbach has been a Math teacher at Bishop Ward for 10 years and member of the Bishop Ward Boys’ Basketball Coaching Staff since the 2014-2015 season. He has served as Head Cross Country coach for eight years and JV Boys’ Head Basketball and Varsity Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach for nine years. Coach Walterbach has been a basketball coach on the elementary, middle school, and high school levels for 10 years. Born and raised in Kansas City, MO and attending high school at St. Pius X, Coach Walterbach is very familiar with the small, Catholic high school setting. He continued his undergraduate education at the University of Missouri and then earned his master’s degree from Baker University. Coach Walterbach said, “I am honored to be the new Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach at Bishop Ward. I am truly excited to continue building upon my years with the program. I look forward to working with the players, staff, and community to create a positive and successful basketball experience for all involved. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped me along my journey in the program and within the Bishop Ward community, including former head coaches, Coach Brian Gavin and Coach Steve Stitzer. I was able to learn immensely under both of them and look forward to carrying on their hard work. I wish Coach Stitzer well as he moves on beyond his coaching career and am appreciative of getting his help through this transition process.
Coach Stitzer will remain a Physical Education teacher at Bishop Ward but has decided to retire from coaching. Coach Stitzer said, “It has been a pleasure coaching the Cyclones. We’ve come a long way since my first season and I’m proud of the progress the team has made. My daughters both graduated from Ward and I appreciate the opportunity to teach and coach in this special community. It was not easy reaching this decision, but I have complete confidence in where the team is and where it can go in the future under the leadership of Coach Walterbach.”
Athletic Director, Mike Beaven, commented, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Coach Stitzer for his years of service to the Boys’ Basketball Team. He has been an outstanding leader for the program both on and off the court; a leader for the entire Athletic Department, and for our school community. I am looking forward to Kevin Walterbach stepping up as Head Coach and the vast knowledge and experience he will bring to the court. I have no doubt that Coach Walterbach will give 100% to the team and the success of the Boys’ Basketball program.”