Jake Boss, Sr.

Jake Boss, Sr. coached for 45 seasons, a career that saw the Mid-Michigan legend win over 500 MHSAA games, three Diamond Classics, seven conference championships, 10 district championships, and three regional championships.

Boss’ head coaching career began in 1973 at the helm of the Lansing Everett Vikings, whom he steered through 1996, earning seven conference Coach of the Year awards, four district Coach of the Year awards and one regional Coach of the Year award, leading to his 1994 induction into the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Concurrently, with his view of the talent from throughout the state, he worked as an associate scout for the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Boss left Lansing Everett for Ypsilanti, spending 1996-1999 on the Eastern Michigan University Eagles’ staff before joining Alma College from 1999-2001. But at the turn of the 21st century, he was back in MHSAA ball, coaching the Lansing  Catholic Cougars from 2002-2008, earning two more regional Coach of the Year awards and six more districts and conference Coach of the Year awards.

Jake Boss, Sr. closed out his illustrious career on the Michigan State staff of his son, Jake Jr., from 2009-2012, helping coach the Spartans to the 2011 Big Ten championship. He was inducted into the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.