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Dr. Hritz Ready to Watch from the Stands

By Joe Ginley, 06/21/18, 3:30PM EDT

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Following years of serving as a team doctor, Dr. Michael Hritz will watch instead of work this season.

As the football season approaches, a familiar face of the Saint Ignatius football community is ready to watch games as a fan. 

Following decades of serving as a team doctor on the sidelines, Michael Hritz, M.D. will have the chance to watch the Wildcats from the stands this season.

Dr. Hritz recently retired from Orthopaedic Associates in Westlake, completing a successful career that began at St. Joseph Hospital in Lorain in 1980. The graduate of Baldwin Wallace University and Case Western Reserve University's Medical School earned numerous awards and accolades prior to his retirement.

During his time as an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Hritz provided medical physicals to innumerable Saint Ignatius student-athletes. Dr. Hritz provided coverage on the sidelines for the Wildcats for over 30 years, also serving as an assistant freshman football coach for five seasons. Dr. Hritz has witnessed all 11 state championship seasons, making many memories along the way.

But the biggest takeaway for Dr. Hritz is the formation of the young men at Saint Ignatius, including of his son, Dave '06. 

"It is a tremendous school," says Dr. Hritz. "The concept of Men for Others and everything done for the community is wonderful. Helping others and serving the poor amongst us is important. I have nothing but admiration for the coaches, teachers, and priests who teach young men. Teaching is a lot of work, and a labor of love."

One beloved teacher at Saint Ignatius, recently retired athletic trainer Hank Gaughan, has plenty of admiration for Dr. Hritz, too.

"He was on the sidelines before me, he was one of the first doctors I was introduced to when I got here," says Gaughan. "He always had an 8:30 am appointment open on Monday for any of our kids. He went out of the way to see kids. We had a great dialogue – he would call me and send a note back. I knew what I was getting back, no surprises."

Dr. Hritz and Gaughan got along well on and off the sidelines during their time patrolling the sidelines. Both attended BW, enjoying a shared connection as Yellow Jackets. 

"He played football at BW, so he understood the game," Gaughan says. "He would give the occasional BW football story – he played for Lee Tressel, Jim Tressel's dad. My wife was actually Tressel's secretary for a time." 

Dr. Hritz's skill and personality will certainly be missed on the sidelines, but now Gaughan and Dr. Hritz will be able to enjoy Wildcats football games as fans.

"I can't say enough good things about Doc Mike. Besides being a good doctor, he's a good friend." 

On behalf of Saint Ignatius Athletics, enjoy your retirement, Dr. Hritz!