Tom Klawitter, a Janesville native and former professional baseball player, was named an assistant coach for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team in September 2015. He enters his eighth season as an assistant coach in 2022-23, and will work with the pitching staff for the seventh straight season.
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A professional baseball player for six years, Klawitter pitched for Major League Baseball's Minnesota Twins during the 1985 season, appearing in seven games and tossing 9 1/3 innings. He also pitched in the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations during his career.
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Following his playing career, Klawitter served as a physical education teacher in the Janesville School District for 27 years. He retired from teaching following the 2014-15 year.
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As head girls varsity basketball coach for 26 years, he helped guide Janesville Parker High School to 16 conference championships and 12 Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament berths, including three state championships and two runner-up finishes. Klawitter concluded his career with a record of 564-128 (.815 win percentage).
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Klawitter also served at Janesville Craig High School as an assistant varsity baseball coach from 1986-88 and 1998-2005. During his tenure, the Cougars claimed six conference titles and the 1998 state championship. Klawitter also coached Babe Ruth Baseball teams and was a player/manager for the Janesville Aces of the Rock River Baseball League (semi-pro). He was inducted into the Wisconsin State Baseball League Hall of Fame in 2008.
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Klawitter played baseball at UW-La Crosse from 1976-80, serving as captain during the 1980 season. He helped lead the Eagles reached the NCAA Division III Tournament in 1979.
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After earning his bachelor's in physical education and health education from UW-La Crosse in 1986, Klawitter received his master's in professional development.
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