Al Welch, Owner

Al was born in Van Wert, Ohio. He graduated from Grover Hill High School, Indiana in 1966 and from Bethel College, Indiana in 1970.

Coach Welch was a longtime member of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association, 1975-2008. His teams won 540 games. As a head coach for 33 years, he won 72.2% of those games. Wayne Trace High School under his tutelage won 22 Green Meadow titles, 18 sectional titles, 8 district titles, 2 regional runners-up, 4 regional titles, 3 State Final Four appearances (1987, 2001, 2008) and the State Title in 1991.

Al was an intense competitor and this flair to compete was passed on to his players. He was a unique coach from the standpoint that he spent his entire career coaching at the same high school. Al had the good fortune to coach his two sons. On his State Championship team in 1991, Brian was a senior and Robert was a sophomore. In the State Championship game Robert scored over 30 points and was named the MVP of the tournament.

In all his years in coaching his philosophy was: His teams wanted to force their opponents to play at Wayne Trace’s pace and make the game full court by pressuring the ball. They wanted to push the ball up court and force their opponents to play faster than they wanted.

In addition to basketball, Al was Head Track Coach for 30 years (over 300 career wins) and won four district titles, Cross Country Coach for nine years and won three regional Al is a Ohio Hall of Fame Basketball Coach. He coached Varsity Boys Basketball at Wayne Trace High School for over 35 years earning over 500 victories. He coached one state champion team (his sons Rob and Brian played on this champion team) and had many state appearances with his successful basketball program. Welch Trophy was started in his basement over 35 years ago and in 2000 he joined his son Rob in partnering to open the current store in Van Wert, Ohio. Al is married to Jill and together they have four children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.