Sean Wheeler has led Merrimack Valley baseball for 24 years. Through thick and thin, ups and downs, he’s been there for it all.
He’s the longest-tenured and winningest coach in program history. His resume is impressive with 173 wins at MV and a total of 184, including one season at Newport.
Most of all, his commitment to his community and his students has resonated with many. The two-time NHIAA Division II Coach of the Year Nominee was grateful for it all.
“This community’s been great, very supportive,” he said.
Even when wins have been hard to come by, there was never a doubt that he had families behind him and the team cheering them on.
He started his coaching career at UMass Dartmouth in 1994. Since then, Wheeler has coached eight other teams, from college to Cal Ripken. He even coached football in Laconia and basketball at Merrimack Valley Middle School.
ConVal delivered a tough loss on Wheeler and the Pride during Wednesday’s final home game of the season, 11-4. The loss sank MV to 2-14 on the year in Wheeler’s last home date for the Pride.
You don’t always choose how you go out, but he was proud of the positivity and effort from his boys all year.
“It’s been a pleasure to be around these kids and again, MV baseball; I think they put us back on the map as far as what the foundation looks like,” Wheeler said. “Hopefully in the future we can build upon this.”
Two of his seniors, Jack Parris and Jacob Baggett, said Wheeler’s leadership taught them bigger lessons than the wins and losses.
Baggett said Wheeler was the best baseball coach he’s ever had. He was never afraid to correct mistakes and apply pressure when needed, but they also got to see Wheeler’s fun side. Wheeler took the time to get to know them, their families, their stories.
Wheeler’s been around so long, he knew many of the parents of his current players before they were even born. The roots go deep.
“He already had the connection before we came around, so us coming into the picture was really just him getting to know us,” Parris said.
There’s something special about baseball, unlike other sports the two seniors have played. The warming days, the end of the school year, the team environment. That’s one of the things Wheeler hoped his players, whether 24 years ago or today, took with them.
It’s not about one person, Wheeler said; it’s always about the team. Being dependable and on time, supporting one another through thick and thin.
As he reaches his last game for Merrimack Valley on Friday at John Stark, Wheeler wanted people to know how much of an honor it was to coach the program. He won’t be stepping away from teaching quite yet. Wheeler will also stay on to be the middle school athletics coordinator, but it was time for him to step down from the baseball role, he said.
He’s most excited for an April vacation with his wife, somewhere in Europe. It will be his first since he first picked up a bat at 3 years old.
“I’ll still be a fan,” he said. “I’ll be in the stands.”
