Gonzaga Athletic Hall of Fame
Four more than two decades Dick Busch almost single-handedly maintained the foundation of Gonzaga University’s modern-era baseball program. He did largely on a limited budget without such latter-day niceties as assistant coaches, athletic scholarships and a regular home field. Busch played his collegiate baseball at Washington State College, primarily as a catcher with limited action on the mound. He came to Gonzaga following World War II service and kept the Bulldogs competitive on independent schedules until Gonzaga joined the Big Sky Conference in 1963. Busch’s 1965 squad captured the Big Sky championship and he was named conference Coach of the Year. He retired from coaching in 1966 after 21 seasons, but continued to serve several more years as athletic moderator. Busch, who taught civil engineering for 34 years at Gonzaga, was among the first recipients of the Bulldog Club Service Award.
