MIDDLETON, WISC. - Madison College softball coach and former baseball coach Leo Kalinowski was recognized for his significant contributions to those sports in the greater Madison area earlier this week. The Madison Dugout Club, Inc. presented Kalinowski with the Gus Burwell Distinguished Service Award at their 44th Annual Dugout Club Winter Banquet on January 26 at Madison Marriott West Hotel & Conference Center. Kalinowski is entering his 16th season as head softball coach for the WolfPack, which will mark his 29th year overall at Madison College.

Over his near three decades of work at Madison College, Kalinowski spent 13 years with the baseball program, including 12 as the head coach. During that time, he led the team to three consecutive NJCAA Division III National Championships between 1995-1997, and racked up a 414-169-3 record with a .706 winning percentage. Since taking over the softball program, Kalinowski has led the WolfPack to two NJCAA Division II National Tournament appearances and has amassed a 413-256 record with a .617 winning percentage. He was inducted in to the Madison College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. 

According to the Dugout Club website...

The Dugout Club's Distinguished Service Award was established in 1998 and was renamed the Gus Burwell Distinguished Service Award in 2005.  Gus was a tireless supporter of baseball in the Madison area and served as the Banquet Chair for over 20 years.  He was the consummate "behind the scenes" guy.  For his efforts, Gus was inducted into the Madison Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. The Gus Burwell Distinguished Service Award is presented annually by the Dugout Club to a person who embodies the spirit of helping grow the game of baseball and/or softball in the Madison area through activities like coaching, sponsorship, and creating opportunities for others to play.

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