San Bernardino Valley College baseball coach Bill Mierzwik thought that his team was turning a corner, and was poised to make a run at the first-ever Inland Empire Athletic Conference championship.

The Wolverines swept through the first round of conference play, going 6-0. Then, on March 11, they lost a tight game against Mt. San Jacinto in the first of their three-game series. The two teams were set to play again the next day, but rain got in the way. And before they could reschedule the game, the threat of Covid-19 put the schedule at a standstill.

 “We had won six out of seven, and it felt like we were getting our feet under us,” Mierzwik said. “We were getting healthier, getting players back into the lineup and felt like we were getting better.”

And while the series of events that followed put an end to the 2020 season for the Wolverines, it also ended up marking the end of Mierzwik’s 28-year career as the SBVC coach. Mierzwik announced recently that he was retiring from coaching the Wolverines, wrapping up a career at SBVC that also included a stint as a player.

The pandemic played a role in Mierzwik’s timing for stepping away. But there were also family considerations as well.

“It was not an easy decision,” he said. “But with the pandemic, and my mom’s health – we’re having to make changes with her care every two-to-three weeks – I figured it might be a good idea to break loose now and take care of things and let the next generation a chance.”

Mierzwik leaves SBVC having posted a record of 669-514-3 over 28 seasons. His teams won seven conference championships and played in the postseason 14 times. In his time at SBVC, he sent more than 350 players to four-year schools, including five from the 2020 team. While some went on to play pro ball, he was just as proud when players came back with their own success story.

“I had players come back who are doctors, lawyers, professionals and even those who became coaches,” he said.

Mierzwik’s story is tied to the region. A graduate of Yucaipa High School, Mierzwik began his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater – where he also got his first teaching job. He left Yucaipa, and led the program at Cajon High School for five years and was tapped to start the program at Pacific High School before bowing out to take the job at SBVC.

It was a return home for Mierzwik, having played for SBVC Hall of Famer Steve Smith – a man whose career coaching records he ultimately passed.

“I was very fortunate to have a lot of hall of famers as role models,” Mierzwik said. “I had some good mentors over the years. And I can’t thank them enough for their guidance.”

Mierzwik also had strong words of thanks for the coaches who have helped him over the years at Valley. And he has high hopes for the future of the program.

“Valley College has been a super awesome place,” he said. “I’ve had a great support staff over the years, from (athletic director) Dave (Rubio), (compliance clerk) Maureen (Ryan), (equipment manager) Mark (Wall) and people like (sports information specialist Bill Norris). And all my assistant coaches, as well. You can’t do the job without the support. I’ve been blessed to work with good people.”

“The younger guys are ready to rock and roll,” he said. “Whoever takes it over, I’m sure they’ll take it to the next level.”