Eugene Salsman

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Eugene Salsman was born one of eight children on a farm outside of Laceyville, Pa. He graduated from Wyalusing Area High School in 1958. A member of the National Honor Society, Gene was a four-year member of the baseball team which included 3 members who later played professional ball. Matriculating to Mansfield University, Gene played baseball for three years for the Mounties, leading the team in hitting his junior year. Gene was scouted by several major league teams, and signed with the newly-organized New York Mets at the end of his junior year. He played two years of professional ball in the Mets farm system. Gene met his wife, Lily, while playing professional ball in New York State. After earning his degree in Secondary Science Education, Gene returned to Wyalusing in 1963 and began teaching biology and general science as well as earth science and AP biology for the Wyalusing Area High School District. He has been teaching for thirty-five years. Gene became assistant coach of the baseball team in 1966, and became the head coach in 1968. Gene has been named “Coach of the Year” several times in the Northern Tier League, and has won league championships in each of the last four decades. He led the American Legion Post 534 baseball team to a third place finish in the state of Pennsylvania in 1970. He has coached the Wyalusing High School baseball team to 9 NTL championships (outright), 4 NTL co-championships, and 2 Susquehanna League Interscholastic Association championships. Gene holds an impressive overall record of 435 wins, 185 losses. Each year Gene coaches over 30 players with only one assistant coach. In 1997, Gene celebrated his 30th year as head baseball coach. Gene has been an active member of the Wyalusing Lions’ Club for over 19 years, achieving perfect attendance. He has held nearly every office in the club including Lions’ president. Gene is an avid hunter, gardener, and enjoys bowling and carpentry work. Gene resides on the same farm on which he was born in Laceyville with his wife Lily. He is the father of three children, Susan, a teacher; Todd, an insurance underwriter in Philadelphia; and Carla, a senior at Marywood University studying education.