Bob Karn
2012 Hall of Fame Inductee
St. Cloud, MN
St. Cloud, MN
Born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, in 1941, Bob Karn's life has been inextricably linked with the game of baseball. His love for the sport began in his childhood, playing catch with his father, a former catcher in the Great Soo League, and later with his brothers, Jim and Jack, in their backyard and the neighborhood vacant lots. This early passion blossomed into a lifelong dedication to the game.
Bob's playing career began at Cathedral High School, where he excelled as a catcher from 1956 to 1959. He transitioned seamlessly into amateur baseball, playing for Luxemburg, St. Cloud Park, and St. Cloud Fitzharris, where he also took on the role of manager.
In 1969, Bob married Karen, and together they raised three children: Emily, Anne, and Aaron. That same year, he began his long and impactful career as an English teacher at St. Cloud Cathedral. In 1971, he added the title of varsity baseball coach, a position he held with unwavering commitment for over five decades.
Bob’s coaching record is nothing short of legendary. Over 1,152 games, he amassed 818 wins and 334 losses, a testament to his strategic brilliance and dedication to his players. His teams captured an astounding nine state high school championships, the most wins and state titles for any Minnesota high school baseball coach.
Beyond the high school diamond, Bob’s contributions to baseball extended across the St. Cloud community and the state of Minnesota. He served as the director for the City of St. Cloud summer youth baseball program for 25 years, shaping the development of countless young athletes. He also dedicated six years to coaching Babe Ruth baseball, leading a 14-year-old team to the Babe Ruth World Series in Kinston, North Carolina, in 1994.
His commitment to the growth of baseball in St. Cloud was further demonstrated through his service on the Mayor’s baseball commission from 1995 to 1998, where he played a crucial role in the design of Faber Field. In 2002, he founded and managed the St. Cloud O’Hara’s amateur team.
From 1999 to 2021, Bob served as the Secretary of the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame and Curator of the Hall of Fame Museum. With his brother Jim, who researched the history, and his daughter Anne, who designed the graphics, he helped to create a visual timeline of baseball in Minnesota from 1867-1961, now on display at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center.
His achievements have been recognized with numerous accolades, including seven Minnesota High School Baseball Coach of the Year awards (1977, 1980, 1988, 2001, 2003, 2014, 2015) and the American Baseball Coaches Association National High School Division III Coach of the Year award in 2016.
Bob Karn’s profound impact on baseball is cemented by his induction into six Halls of Fame: the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, Cathedral High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Minnesota High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, Minnesota High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Minnesota High School League Hall of Fame, and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Bob Karn's legacy is one of unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and a deep-seated love for the game of baseball, leaving an indelible mark on the sport in St. Cloud and throughout Minnesota.
Bob's playing career began at Cathedral High School, where he excelled as a catcher from 1956 to 1959. He transitioned seamlessly into amateur baseball, playing for Luxemburg, St. Cloud Park, and St. Cloud Fitzharris, where he also took on the role of manager.
In 1969, Bob married Karen, and together they raised three children: Emily, Anne, and Aaron. That same year, he began his long and impactful career as an English teacher at St. Cloud Cathedral. In 1971, he added the title of varsity baseball coach, a position he held with unwavering commitment for over five decades.
Bob’s coaching record is nothing short of legendary. Over 1,152 games, he amassed 818 wins and 334 losses, a testament to his strategic brilliance and dedication to his players. His teams captured an astounding nine state high school championships, the most wins and state titles for any Minnesota high school baseball coach.
Beyond the high school diamond, Bob’s contributions to baseball extended across the St. Cloud community and the state of Minnesota. He served as the director for the City of St. Cloud summer youth baseball program for 25 years, shaping the development of countless young athletes. He also dedicated six years to coaching Babe Ruth baseball, leading a 14-year-old team to the Babe Ruth World Series in Kinston, North Carolina, in 1994.
His commitment to the growth of baseball in St. Cloud was further demonstrated through his service on the Mayor’s baseball commission from 1995 to 1998, where he played a crucial role in the design of Faber Field. In 2002, he founded and managed the St. Cloud O’Hara’s amateur team.
From 1999 to 2021, Bob served as the Secretary of the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame and Curator of the Hall of Fame Museum. With his brother Jim, who researched the history, and his daughter Anne, who designed the graphics, he helped to create a visual timeline of baseball in Minnesota from 1867-1961, now on display at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center.
His achievements have been recognized with numerous accolades, including seven Minnesota High School Baseball Coach of the Year awards (1977, 1980, 1988, 2001, 2003, 2014, 2015) and the American Baseball Coaches Association National High School Division III Coach of the Year award in 2016.
Bob Karn’s profound impact on baseball is cemented by his induction into six Halls of Fame: the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, Cathedral High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Minnesota High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, Minnesota High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Minnesota High School League Hall of Fame, and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Bob Karn's legacy is one of unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and a deep-seated love for the game of baseball, leaving an indelible mark on the sport in St. Cloud and throughout Minnesota.