Chris Petri

Personal

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and recently moved down to Indian Land, South Carolina in the Spring of 2020. I move down to the Charlotte area for a career change in Dec 2019 and my beautiful wife Becky and 4 kids CJ, Brennen, Aidan, and Dalaney joined in March of 2020, literally weeks before the world shutdown. No doubt a hard transition in normal times but when in the midst of global pandemic….let’s just say crazy, it’s been for the whole world.  But our strong faith leaves us with eternal optimism and takes us through the weirdest of times. 

Athletic Background

I am for sure one of the humblest men you will meet so I’ll try to make this short.  Growing up, I’ve played baseball, basketball, and football.  Achieving many accolades both individually and team orientated.  Individually early on multiple all-star appearances to later in high school team player of the year, all-county, all-district, all-metro, and booster club awards depending on what sport I was in. From a team success seen many successes wins in tournaments in the youth circuits including a deep run in little league all star state tournament on up through high school in conference championships and deep runs in state playoffs. I was blessed to be coached by, coach with, mentored by, and learned from some of the best coaches out there in multiple sports.  That inspiration put my path to be a high school teacher and coach myself, until I realized teaching wasn’t the most lucrative profession so I changed my life plans and passed up offers to play at the next level to go into business at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.  Side note: That’s not at all a knock on teachers, cause I married a really good one, just wish that profession got paid more! 

Coaching Background

As I mentioned, I was blessed to grow up in a town that had some of the best coaches in the state of Wisconsin growing up. From real early on in rec ball Parish Wagner (brother of long time MLB pitcher Paul Wagner) on up through multiple state championship coaches and Wisconsin Hall of Famers and legends Phil Datka, Gary Soike, Chuck Ritzenthaler, Steve Showalter. They and many others grew my love and passion for coaching, that even before I had children was coaching middle school and high school teams. I also had the pleasure to work for Jeff Gabrielson another WI HOF’er  where he taught me what it meant to be a “professional” coach.  Also learned through one on one, clinic, and chalkboard sessions from highly respected college coaches. Since my kids have gotten older I’ve walked away from high school sports to enjoy being with and watching them grow up. When back in Wisconsin, depending on the season, we were busy! I would be in season coaching 2 of the 3 boys in one for the 3 sports of basketball, baseball, or football and be in offseason works outs with another 2 of the 3 boys. Needless to say there weren’t any nights off! People always asked me how I did it, its easy when its such a passion of yours to impact the youth of the world both in and outside of sports. I focus on every individual from the most to least talented kid. Its priceless to see the progress in kids especially when you see the elated joy in their eyes when they achieve success they themselves maybe even didn’t believe they could achieve.

So glad Craig has welcomed me on to the Hammerhead staff, I’ve actually never had the opportunity to coach my son Brennen in baseball (he got me for basketball) on a more elite level like I have my other boys. Thank you Archie as well, GO HAMMERHEADS!

Coaching Resume:

BASEBALL

Little League Baseball Head/Assistant Coach: 5 years

     2nd place league championships

     3rd place league championships

Select Menomonee Falls Jr. Indians Baseball Head/Assistant Coach: 3 years (2 teams) 

     Wisconsin Youth Baseball League Championship

     Multiple tournament victories and runner-ups

Select Waxhaw Heat Baseball: 1year

BASKETBALL

Rec Basketball Head/Assistant Coach: 2 years

     x2 tournament championships

Select Menomonee Falls Jr. Indians Basketball Head/Assistant Coach: 4 years (2 teams) 

     Multiple tournament victories and runner-ups

St. Margaret Mary Basketball Head Coach: 4 years

     Multiple tournament victories and runner-ups

     Elite Padre Serra  Invite

Kennedy Middle School Basketball Assistant Coach: 1 year 

     1st place conference

FOOTBALL

Menomonee Falls Jr. Indians Football Head Coach: 2 years

     2nd place conference finish

Wauwatosa West High School Varsity O-line Coach: 7 years

     3 time state playoffs

     Led state in rushing yards 2 years, top 5 another 4 years