Sykesville resident John Jancuska has paid his dues over the past 32 years as a head baseball coach at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

And he's helped a lot of players and coaches pay their dues as well.

One of those, Billy Hunter, a former Oriole shortstop who was coach at Towson in the 1970s, recalled recently how in his first year, his team was bumped from the playoffs while rival UMBC, under Jancuska's helm, qualified for the national event.

"I accused John of keeping us out of the playoffs," Hunter said with a smile during a recent interview. "John said, 'You have to pay your dues.' "

Three decades later, Jancuska is still teaching players and coaches a few lessons about winning.

He's got plenty to teach -- Jancuska has posted more than 600 wins in his career. He's guided the UMBC program into the Division I level and has been the coach of the year in three different conferences, with five NCAA tournament appearances.

A native of Delaware who has found a home in south Carroll County, Jancuska would be the first to admit the Retrievers are struggling this season, with a record of 9-31 after losing three of their top hitters from the 2008 team. The team's regular-season finale is May 12 against Georgetown.

But this year's campaign hardly tarnishes Jancuska's stellar track record.

Two of his former players, Wayne Franklin and Jay Witasick, have pitched in the major leagues -- Franklin in 2005 for the New York Yankees under manager Joe Torre. Frankin said Jancuska and Torre have similar personalities.

"(Jancuska) taught me a lot in terms of being mature and acting mature," said Franklin, who pitched last season for the York (Pa.) Revolution in the independent Atlantic League. "He wants you to be a team player and represent the team well and show some poise out there.

"That is a big part of being a professional," added Franklin, who was drafted by the Dodgers out of UMBC. "He helped me mature a lot as a pitcher and stressed the importance of throwing strikes."

Meanwhile Witasick, who pitched in 405 major league games from 1996 to 2007, pitched for the Yankees in 2001. He could not be reached for comment.

Former UMBC pitcher Ryan Clark, who began this season with the Class AA Bowie Baysox in the Oriole system, said he was reading a book co-authored by Torre and was also reminded of Jancuska.

"He is laid back, but really cares about what he says to you," said Clark. "When he says something, it's important. It may not be want you want to hear but he tells you the truth."

Jancuska himself was a two-year starter at the University of Delaware in his home state and was a captain as a senior in 1975.

A little more than two years later he was hired to be the UMBC head coach.

"I got the job when I was 23 years old," he said. "It was Division II with no scholarships and no amenities. Basically, for years we would just attract those kids who had a decent baseball background."

"We had a lot of success in Division II," he added. "We went Division I in 1987 and upgraded our facilities."

The program got a boost about five years ago through a partnership with The Baseball Factory, based in Columbia. The UMBC field is now named for The Baseball Factory, and the Retrievers, members of the America East Conference, now have a new clubhouse.

Jancuska said the improved profile at UMBC under president Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III has aided the baseball program.

"That (profile) has opened the door with some kids who may have been looking at private schools," he said. "Mr. Hrabowski raised the standards at this university."

"I think we are a very-well balanced program here," he said. "I think all of our sports are in good shape."

Jancuska and his wife, Lee Ann, have three daughters. The oldest, Devon, is married and lives in Westminster.

The youngest two, Beth Ann and Claire, both graduated from Westminster High School and now attend UMBC. Beth Ann plays lacrosse at the school.

But the second family for Jancuska is the baseball team at UMBC, where at least 17 of his former players have gone on to the pro ranks.

"There is no question about that. He is a family guy," Franklin said. "He is a good role model for his players."

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