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Nearly 60 years after beginning his officiating career at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, alumnus Rick Wostratzky returned to campus Wednesday, Oct. 14, to dedicate two new intramural scoreboards he funded with a $25,000 gift and umpire a softball game on the same fields where his career began.<\/p>\n
Wostratzky, a 1971 SIU graduate and member of the Chicago 16-Inch Softball Hall of Fame, made the donation earlier this year to enhance the university’s intramural softball and baseball facilities. The gift reflects his appreciation for the opportunities he received as a student and his commitment to supporting future generations of Salukis.<\/p>\n
“Brian, our fundraiser, said, ‘Rick, you did intramural athletics all four years here. We could use some new scoreboards,'” Wostratzky recalled. “I went home and discussed it with my wife, and it was a real easy decision.”<\/p>\n
On Jan. 8, Wostratzky presented a $25,000 check to purchase the scoreboards, which now bear his name.<\/p>\n
“I thought, what a perfect way to give back,” he said.<\/p>\n
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The dedication brought Wostratzky’s journey full circle. He began officiating intramural basketball, volleyball and softball at SIU in 1967, eventually working championship games in all three sports. What started as a way to earn extra money during college developed into a lifelong passion spanning nearly six decades.<\/p>\n
When asked why he chose to support intramural athletics, Wostratzky reflected on where his career began.<\/p>\n
“Because that’s how I got my start,” Wostratzky said.<\/p>\n
Following the dedication, Wostratzky returned to the field to officiate a men’s intramural softball game, reconnecting with the sport and university that helped shape his career.<\/p>\n
“I’m looking forward to the game,” he said. “I can’t wait till the kids get there, because I’m going to talk to them a little bit about me starting in 1967 and the great experiences that I had here as a student.”<\/p>\n
From Saluki student-athlete to Hall of Fame umpire<\/strong><\/p>\n Wostratzky came to SIU on a partial track scholarship from legendary Hall of Fame coach Lew Hartzog, who led the Salukis to national championships and numerous Missouri Valley Conference titles. After visiting campus during Memorial Day weekend of his senior year of high school, Wostratzky knew he had found the right university.<\/p>\n “When I got home, I said, ‘Dad, this is where I’m going. There’s no better place I can go and get a good college education,'” Wostratzky said.<\/p>\n As a member of the Saluki track and field team, Wostratzky competed in prestigious events, including the Drake Relays, Texas Relays, Kansas Relays and Kentucky Relays. He credits Hartzog, whose name now graces SIU’s track and field facility, with instilling the discipline and work ethic that guided his professional life.<\/p>\n “Coach Hartzog just taught you about work ethic,” Wostratzky said. “You come to McAndrew Stadium at 3 o’clock, you’re ready to go and you put the work in. There’s no shortcuts. That’s what he taught me.”<\/p>\n After earning his bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 1971, Wostratzky began teaching history, economics and sociology. He later earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Roosevelt University and spent decades working as a high school counselor and coach before retiring in 2006.<\/p>\n Throughout his career in education, Wostratzky continued officiating basketball, baseball and softball games throughout the Chicago area.<\/p>\n His dedication to officiating earned him induction into the Chicago 16-Inch Softball Hall of Fame in 2023. He was the only umpire inducted that year, joining a select group recognized for their contributions to the sport.<\/p>\n Wostratzky has officiated thousands of games, including major national softball tournaments, and continues to work hundreds of athletic events annually.<\/p>\n “I’m still doing all of it,” he said. “I still love it. I’m still having fun.”<\/p>\n Giving back to the university that shaped his life<\/strong><\/p>\n Wostratzky has supported SIU for more than 40 years, motivated by the education, mentorship and experiences that helped launch his career.<\/p>\n “It’s really simple. It’s because of what this university did for me,” he said.<\/p>\n He remembers the professors who took an interest in their students, the friendships he developed and the opportunities that helped him grow personally and professionally.<\/p>\n “You woke up every day and you were happy to be here because of the people that you were associating with and the friendships that you were making on a daily basis,” he said. “I loved every minute here, and I wouldn’t trade it for a thing.”<\/p>\n His latest gift provides a lasting improvement to SIU’s recreational facilities while honoring the place where he first discovered his passion for officiating.<\/p>\n Wostratzky also hopes his story encourages students to consider becoming athletic officials, noting a growing shortage of referees and umpires, particularly in high school athletics.<\/p>\n He encourages fellow alumni to reflect on their own SIU experiences and consider how they can support the next generation of students.<\/p>\n “If you can give $100, $1,000, $5,000, it helps,” Wostratzky said. “That’s why I gave the $25,000.”<\/p>\n For Wostratzky, the dedication represented more than the installation of new scoreboards. It was an opportunity to return to his roots, share his experiences with today’s students and celebrate a university that continues to hold a special place in his life.<\/p>\n “I’m going to continue to give back to this university because of all it did for me,” he said.<\/p>\n The gift adds to the momentum of the Imagine SIU 2030 fundraising campaign, which has surpassed its $500 million goal 20 months ahead of schedule. The campaign continues through June 30, 2028, supporting scholarships, academic programs, facilities and other initiatives that enhance the student experience at SIU.<\/p>\n SIU’s intramural sports programs provide students opportunities to stay active, build friendships and develop lifelong skills such as teamwork, communication and leadership through recreational competition.<\/p>\n To learn more about supporting intramural sports and other Student Affairs initiatives at SIU, contact Brian Flath, director of development for Student Affairs, at 618-453-4286 or brianf@foundation.siu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nearly 60 years after beginning his officiating career at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, alumnus Rick Wostratzky returned to campus Wednesday, Oct. 14, to dedicate two new intramural scoreboards he funded with a $25,000 gift and umpire a softball game on the same fields where his career began. Wostratzky, a 1971 SIU graduate and member of … Continue reading SIU alumnus donates $25,000 for intramural scoreboards, returns to umpire game nearly 60 years after getting his start<\/span>