Chris Wyrick will finish his 25-year career as Helias Catholic High School’s head baseball coach with at least 450 wins.
Wyrick has served as Helias Catholic’s head baseball coach since 2000 after joining the faculty as a teacher in 1999. He will end his tenure as head coach after the 2024 season, during which he led the Crusaders to the program’s 800th win. He earned his 450th coaching win in the Crusaders’ final regular-season game.
“I would like to thank the Helias Catholic High School community for their support over the last 25 years as head baseball coach. I have enjoyed my time as head coach, but feel like now is a good time to take a step back and allow someone else to oversee and direct the program,” Coach Wyrick said. “This extra time will allow me to spend more time with my family and give me the opportunity to watch my son play collegiate baseball.”
Wyrick has led the Crusaders to two state championships (2000 and 2001) as well as 10 district championships and two Final Four runs.
He was inducted into the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2018. He has also been recognized as MHSBCA Coach of the Year, Greater St. Louis MLB Scouts Association High School Coach of the Year, and National Federation of State High School Associations Missouri Baseball Coach of the Year.
He has coached an All-American player, as well as over 50 All-State and over 100 All-District student-athletes.
A 1989 graduate of Helias Catholic High School, Wyrick also played on three state championship Crusader baseball teams and holds the school records for career batting average, career RBI and home runs in a season. He went on to play at the University of Missouri and professionally with the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers organizations before returning to Mid-Missouri to coach.
“When we say ‘once a Crusader, always a Crusader,’ we’re talking about people like Coach Wyrick,” said Dwayne Clingman, assistant principal and director of athletics/activities at Helias Catholic. “While our baseball program will look different without his leadership, we’re so grateful for everything he’s contributed and the spirit of excellence he’s shared with students through his coaching over the past 25 years.”
Wyrick will continue to serve as an assistant coach for Helias Catholic’s softball and girls basketball teams in addition to teaching physical education.
He also plans to spend time watching his son, soon-to-be 2024 Helias Catholic graduate Sam Wyrick, play baseball at the University of Central Missouri.
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