WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is mourning the passing of former baseball Head Coach Pete Wilk. Yesterday evening, Wilk passed away following a 15-month battle with Glioblastoma. Wilk is the winningest coach in Georgetown baseball history, having accumulated 426 career wins in 21 seasons on the Hilltop.
 
"My deepest condolences to Erin, Reese, Casey and to those who knew and loved Pete Wilk," said Francis X. Rienzo Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Lee Reed. "For more than 20 years, he was a mentor to the members of our baseball program teaching them lessons on the field and in life. His courage and strength in the face of adversity has never wavered and he will be remembered as a fighter. Pete made a lasting impact both on this program and within our Georgetown community which will never be forgotten."
 
 
Wilk was hired as the head baseball coach in 1999 after spending the 1998 and 1999 seasons as an assistant on staff. He would go on to work with more than 450 student-athletes and record 426 career wins, a program record.
 
During his tenure, Wilk coached 12 student-athletes who went on to be picked in the MLB Draft. Most notably, Wilk played a vital role in developing Tim Adelman, the baseball program's most successful alumni on the diamond. Adelman was selected in the 24th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. Adelman made his MLB debut in 2016, marking the first time that one of Wilk's players made it to the big leagues.
 
In 2019, Wilk saw four Hoyas get taken in the MLB Draft, which is a program best. Wilk also coached Nick Collins, who in 2015 became the first and only Hoya to ever win the BIG EAST Player of the Year Award.
 
During his time on the Hilltop, the Hoyas received Top 10 APR Public Recognition Awards from the NCAA eight times. Wilk also implemented Career Night for current and former Hoya baseball players to get career advice and network with GU baseball alumni. Georgetown players also worked in the community with organizations like Hoya Dreams. The Hoya Dreams program took part in the annual D.C. Heart Walk, raising money for the American Heart Association.
 
Wilk was also the driving force behind the First Pitch Dinner, a fundraiser exclusively for the baseball program. The inaugural First Pitch Dinner was held in 2005 and featured Terry Francona, Manager of the 2004 World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox.
 
"Today is a difficult day for Georgetown baseball as we lost the winningest coach in our program's history, Coach Pete Wilk," said Current Head Coach Edwin Thompson. "Even though our time did not overlap, he was a consistent person in the organization for over 20 years and did so many things to impact Georgetown and Georgetown baseball. We want to send our condolences to his family, friends and all former Hoya baseball players during this difficult time."
 
After his time on the Hilltop, Wilk became the head coach of the Vermont Lake Monsters of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. On March 8, 2024, the Futures League announced the creation of a new annual award named in honor of Pete Wilk. The Pete Wilk Award will be given out to a persevering individual who has overcome injury, illness, or personal tragedy to make an impact for their team on or off the field, as that is exactly what Wilk did throughout his lifetime.
 
Wilk is survived by his wife, Erin, and his two daughters, Reese and Casey. Coach Wilk's impact and memory will forever be felt within the Georgetown community.