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Coach Lou Yacinich, better known as “Coach 40,” is the head baseball coach at Grand View University. He is known as Coach 40 because of his jersey number, which he wears each game. Coach Yacinich is in his 45th year as a coach at GV. Yacinich has stayed so long because he loves the game of baseball and what he does.

“Baseball is America’s game; it’s America’s pastime,” Yacinich said.

Yacinich compares baseball to real life.

“There are ups and downs, wins and losses; it’s all how you react and respond when you’re winning and losing,” he said.

Coach Yacinich played baseball at East High School in Des Moines and at Grand View College before it became a university. Yacinich was passionate about staying around the game of baseball and wanted to become a coach. He coached at Saydel High School and Southwestern Community College before his 45 years, and counting, at GV.

Dave Sisam, a former GV baseball coach who Yacinich played for, is one reason Yacinich decided to come back and coach for GV. Yacinich said that Sisam genuinely cared about his players and wanted to win at the same time. That’s something that Yacinich wanted to be a part of after his playing days. 

“Most employers love athletes because they have won and lost, and they know how to handle situations when they are negative,” Yacinich said.

Caring about who his players become after college really shows who Yacinich is as a person because he knows it’s bigger than baseball. Yacinich wants his athletes to graduate and get ready for a successful life after college. “Establishment and employment” is what Coach Yacinich says is the goal for his players after college.

The baseball stadium at GV was just renovated and named after Coach Yacinich, a great honor and testament to his years as a coach.

Yacinich said what he has been the proudest of during the refurnishing of the baseball stadium, is the former players and their relationship with him and GV. Former players donated the money, allowing the advancement for the current baseball team.

“We are creating a legacy,” Yacinich said.

The legacy includes both current players and former players.

Former players donated money to create the new field and this has an effect on current players and possible recruits wanting to come to GV.

“That’s one of the first things we show new recruits when they come visit our campus,” Yacinich said.

A lot of times it helps recruits make their decision.

The baseball program at GV participated in the NAIA world series in 1984, 1985 and 1991. Yacinich has coached many teams over the years but says that the best teams he’s had are the 45 at GV.   “Coach Yacinich has a lot of experience because he has been coaching for about 40 years, said Jason MacAlpine, a GV baseball player. “It is special for a student-athlete who loves baseball to be able to call someone like Yacinich their coach. He is a natural leader, and he knows how to win. He gets along with everyone, and it actually feels like everyone wants to learn from him and play for him.”

Over the years, Yacinich has impacted many people’s lives because he loves what he does, and it doesn’t seem like he plans on stopping anytime soon. The legendary coach has been inducted to the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, the Des Moines East High School Athletic Hall of Fame, the NAIA baseball Hall of Fame, the Grand View Athletic Hall of Fame and the ABCA National Hall of Fame.

“It’s a pleasure to be able to offer top-quality academic and athletic programs to so many high-caliber young men and to watch them reap the rewards through individual hard work and dedication,” Yacinich said.