Miami Student

Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: Sports

Former Miami second baseman Clarence Wheeler tosses out the cerimonial 1st pitch at the baseball game Sunday afternoon. He tured 100 years old just one day earlier.

One-hundred-year-old Clarence Wheeler, believed to be Miami University's oldest living baseball alumnus, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Sunday's rubber match between the RedHawks and the Bowling Green State University Falcons at McKie Field.

The pitch celebrated Wheeler's 100th birthday, which occurred one day before.

Wheeler, a Hamilton native, played second base for Miami during the 1930 and '31 seasons after transferring from Wittenberg University.

"I enjoyed playing in the infield and taking part in the ball game, and I had many experiences that I remember about playing ball at Miami," Wheeler said. "I remember I got the signal to steal second to third and I missed it and got thrown out, and you should've heard the coach yell at me that time. There were a lot of good memories of baseball."

Wheeler explained that the transfer was a matter of convenience and interest.

"I lived in Hamilton and Miami was closer, and I enjoyed seeing the campus and learning a little bit more about Miami," Wheeler said.

The decision turned out to be instrumental for Wheeler as he succeeded on the baseball team-earning the nickname "feather" because of his speed around the bases. During his time at Miami, Wheeler also came into contact with two of Miami's all-time great sports legends: Professional Football Hall of Fame coaches Paul Brown and Weeb Eubank.

"I went to school with Paul Brown and did my student teaching under Weeb Eubank," Wheeler said. "As a teacher myself, I always thought that I'd be a good student and learn from what (Eubank) wanted to tell me. That's the main thing. That's why I had him."

Brown went on to do great things for the Cleveland Browns and founded the Cincinnati Bengals. Eubank coached the New York Jets to a Super Bowl victory and the Baltimore Colts to two NFL championships.

Wheeler continued to participate in the sporting world by coaching a few baseball, football and basketball teams, but ultimately went on to pursue another passion: teaching.

"I enjoy people and being around people," Wheeler said. "It's a pleasure to be around people and speak with people about different things. Otherwise I wouldn't be a school teacher or a principal."

Continued...

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