Hardships, Tragedy Can't Hamper Wayzata Coach's Winning Season
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It has been one of those special seasons for Wayzata baseball, winning their first ever state tournament.
"It's unprecedented for us. It's kind of new territory," Coach Bob DeWitt said. "These guys have really been committed, really since they were freshman. They've set very high expectations."
It is a joy for the coach and his wife, Rachel Ivascu.
"It's fun. It's more about the experience. I know Bobby likes doing this, so it's fun," Rachel said.
But it has been quite a journey to get to this day. They are the parents to 3-and-a-half-year-old twin boy, Samuel and William. And they got the news almost two years ago that William had a brain tumor.
"For me it was devastating in the fact that my sister, four years before that, died of brain cancer," Rachel said. "So there was that element of familiarity. And then to go into it now with renewed hope and determination that this was going to end different – but all the while knowing that it's out of your hands."
It is not difficult to recall what that life-changing day felt like.
"Crushing, just crushing, you know," Bob said. "We kind of went through that with a family member earlier, and then to get that same news [was] just dark, really dark days. And, you know, you think the worst and you expect the worst."
What followed was surgery, treatment and a rollercoaster of emotions.
"He had four months of in-patient chemo at Children's," Rachel said. "And then we went to Chicago and did proton radiation. And then he had more chemo that he did at home."
Then began the rally, filled with support from friends and family -- which is why this day is so special.
"To see him running around here, cheering for his daddy, waving from the stands to see him, it makes your heart melt. It's just wonderful," said Jan DeWitt, Bob's mother.
Coach DeWitt understands the fragility of baseball and life. He pitched for the Minnesota Gophers, and this spring his pitching coach, Todd Oakes, lost his battle with leukemia.
"You learn to strive to be successful, you don't fear failure, and, you know, you work to meet your goals," Bob said. "And that's something I've taken from Todd. Never give in, and you keep fighting the fight.
That is part of what drives this coach to be a good father. He has perspective, and he has two sons that need him.
"It kind of makes you remember why you do what you do, and just try to be a good role model and really show them the right way to do things," Bob said. "And they just look up to you as kind of their hero, and you want to try to be that for them."
Jan says William is sweet as can be, and laid back.
"He's pretty cool. Nothing fazes him. He knows all the players," Jan said.
William has responded well to the treatment, and that is the biggest win of all.
"Right now he's cancer-free and in remission, so we're lucky," Rachel said. "He's great. He's just a normal 3-and-a-half-year-old boy, and likes to run around and play with his brother and have good times."
And this baseball season, they are all reminded of what is important in life.
"Win or lose here, it's just a game," Bob said. "And we all move on and we all get to do great things. And the hope is you just do things the right way."
The reports have been good for William. And yes, he and Samuel will be there when Wayzata plays for the state title against Champlin Park Monday night at Target Field.
