Wilterdink to replace retiring Bantin at MSOE
MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- MSOE Director of Athletics Dan Harris announced today the hiring of Rod Wilterdink as head softball coach. Wilterdink will begin his duties at the end of this season, replacing Dan Bantin, who is retiring after nine years at the Raider helm.

Wilterdink is best known for coaching Cedarburg’s varsity softball team for 26 years, with his teams winning 9 conference championships, 16 regional championships, as well as 9 state appearances. Cedarburg’s nine times at state is a WIAA Division 1 best. He has served the last two seasons as Concordia University-Wisconsin’s assistant softball coach.

“Coach Wilterdink brings valuable coaching experience to our softball program,” said Harris. “He has numerous recruiting contacts throughout the state and region. His ability to relate to athletes and all constituents will serve us well. He is a man of character and I have great confidence that he will develop MSOE into a consistent winner in softball.”

Wilterdink, a UW-Oshkosh graduate and long-time Cedarburg math teacher, also coached baseball 10 years before coaching softball and coached boy’s basketball for 30 years. Wilterdink has three adult sons, and he and his wife Sue are grandparents of two boys. The Wilterdinks reside in Grafton

Expressing gratitude for Bantin’s nine years of service, Harris commented: “Dan Bantin has been a valuable member of the MSOE staff. His duties as equipment manager, defensive driving and vehicle maintenance specialist as well as his attention to upgrading the varsity softball field have served MSOE well and made the environment safer for our student-athletes. We wish him well.

Courtesy of MSOE, Sports Information Department, April 17, 2007.