Castleton

Spartans

John Witalec ’64 played baseball and soccer at Castleton before graduating and embarking on a successful career as an educator, coach, and official in Vermont. He began his career at Wallingford High School as a social studies teacher. In his two years at Wallingford Witalec successfully started a soccer program and also coached the varsity baseball team. He then moved on to Black River High School and Elementary School in Ludlow where he spent the next 30 years until retiring in 1996, earning Vermont Association of Physical Education, Health, Recreation, and Dance Teacher of the Year in 1994. While at Black River he spent time three years as athletic director and soccer coach, and led the baseball team for 21 seasons. Witalec joined the Vermont Soccer Officials Association in 1969, serving as president in 1976 and earning a lifetime membership with the group in 2012. During his time as a high school soccer referee he has had the opportunity to officiate five Vermont/New Hampshire Lions Cup games. He was a charter member of the Southern Vermont Baseball Umpire Association and the Vermont Baseball Umpires Alliance, serving as president of each association. In 49 years as a baseball, soccer, and softball official Witalec has seen action in more than 200 games, including countless high school state championships in all three. He lives in Ludlow with his wife of 49 years, Sylvia Laakso Witalec (’65). They have three grown children – Gina, Gregory and Geri.