One of Homestead’s greatest coaches was honored by being inducted into the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Saturday Feb. 13. Coach Ernie Millard has been the head baseball coach at Homestead for 23 years.

“It means a lot to be recognized by my peers, because they are the ones who understand just what it means to handle all the challenges coaches face on a daily basis. They are the people I stand across the field from each time we compete and it is a really good feeling to know that my fellow coaches think I am working really hard and trying to do the right things with my athletes.”

Under Coach Millard, the Highlanders have made it to the state tournament six times, and were runners-up in 2003 and 2014. Through his years as head coach, he has racked up a total of 483 wins, which is the third highest in the state among active coaches. He was earned Conference Coach of the Year four times in his prestigious career.

Not only is he a baseball coach, but he is also the head coach for the Homestead wrestling team, but no matter the sport, he draws admiration from all of his athletes. His ability to know when to be a coach and when not to be is an aspect that not all coaches possess, and this makes his players admire him even more.

“Coach Millard is a very energetic coach, and he lets you know when you’ve made a mistake but in away that is helpful. He loves all of his players and expects the best out of everyone. There is no one more deserving because of his dedication to his athletes and the sport of baseball,” Ryan Cho, senior baseball captain, said.

Many of his players agree that he is one of the best coaches that they have ever had, which can be accredited to the way that he treats his players — like family. Each of his players is like another son to him, and he treats them that way whether it be through discipline or encouragement.

“One thing that I love about Mr. Millard is that he doesn’t care if you’re the best player in the world or the worst player in the world. What he really cares about is how you act as a person off the field. I love that about him. I don’t remember any of the signs that we had or our bunt coverages. What I remember with coach Millard is when he would talk to me one-on-one. Those moments were so special,” Trevor Cho, former Highlander baseball player, said.

His only state championship came in 1994, the same year his younger brother was a pitcher for the Highlanders. “My favorite memory ever is winning the sectional championship in 1994, with my younger brother Ethan closing out the game against Franklin at Brown Deer High School.  He is 12 years younger than I am, and standing in the dugout entrance as the last out was made in that game was incredibly emotional for me.  I will never forget the hug I got from him immediately afterward,” Coach Millard said.

“Coach Millard taught me everything I need to know. How to respect people and to know that the game of baseball is not the only thing in life that is important,” Trevor Cho said.