Another member of a storied Ohio baseball family is in the Hall of Fame.
Former Bellefontaine High School baseball coach Mark Brunswick has been inducted into the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2026.
Brunswick was honored during the association’s annual banquet and induction ceremony held Friday, Jan. 23, at the Hilton at Easton in Columbus as part of the OHSBCA’s clinic and awards weekend.
Brunswick’s induction continues a family legacy, as his father, Lou Brunswick, was inducted into the OHSBCA Hall of Fame in 1975.
During his induction remarks, Brunswick thanked family members, assistant coaches, former players and mentors who supported him throughout a coaching career that spanned nearly three decades.
He credited William Patterson and the late Greg Peitsmeyer — his brother-in-law and former Bellefontaine football coach — with helping him begin his coaching career at Bellefontaine, and also recognized Dick Horn, longtime Bellefontaine educator and former athletic director, for his leadership and guidance.
Induction ceremony video link below
Brunswick also thanked former assistant coaches, among them, Mike Mossbarger and Art Caudill, along with former players and others who played key roles in his success.
Reflecting on the early years of his coaching career, Brunswick said, “I was a demanding SOB, man” noting that building a foundation was essential — and easier to do then than it is today.
Brunswick was one of five coaches selected for the Class of 2026, joining Tim Broskie (Whetstone), Brent Renollet(Delta/Tinora), John Sarver (Buchtel/Kenmore/Hoban/Ellet) and Kevin Yoder (Berlin Hiland/Coshocton/Tri-Valley).
Over a career that spanned multiple decades, Brunswick recorded more than 500 career victories, leading programs at Bellefontaine, Marysville and Lehman Catholic. He became known for consistent competitiveness, strong player development and a coaching philosophy rooted in fundamentals, discipline and respect for the game.
The induction carried special significance within Ohio baseball circles due to Brunswick’s connection to the Lou Brunswick coaching tree, which now includes a record five OHSBCA Hall of Fame inductees.
Brunswick said he felt “lost” after his father, Lou Brunswick, passed away a few years ago. During his remarks, he thanked Dave King, the longtime former Lehman Catholic baseball coach, for being “like a second father to me,” during that difficult period adding, “You mean the world to me.”
Lou Brunswick, a co-founder of ACME Baseball and one of the most influential figures in Ohio baseball, died in 2022. His legacy continues through the coaches he mentored and the generations of players shaped by his philosophy.
Brunswick also emphasized the importance of a strong support system, noting that his family — particularly his wife, Gay — sacrificed a great deal so he could pursue his coaching career.
“Baseball is a great game. A great game,” Brunswick said. “We can’t lose the fire for the future of our kids (players). Embrace your kids, build relationships with your kids, tell them you love them — it goes a long way.”
He encouraged young coaches to approach the profession with purpose and passion.
“Please do not just take the job for a stipend,” Brunswick said. “Embrace your job with passion and care.”
Photos/Mark Brunswick
CLICK HERE to watch the full induction ceremony on YouTube. Brunswick’s remarks start about 35:25.
