Louis Alexander "Lou" Wacker, Jr.

Louis Alexander “Lou” Wacker, Jr., age 84, of Emory, Va., passed away on Friday, February 15, 2019.  He was born May 13, 1934, in Richmond, Va., to the late Louis Alexander Wacker, Sr. and Heloise Tiller Wacker.
Lou excelled in multiple sports at Highland Springs High School and the University of Richmond.  He still holds the record for low hurdles in track at Highland Springs and the record for interceptions in a single game (tied) with 3 against Wake Forest while at the University of Richmond.  He settled on football and after a short time with the Detroit Lions and the Calgary Stampeders, he returned to Richmond to begin a coaching career that spanned 46 years.  After winning back to back VA High School League District Championships at Midlothian HS and Colonial Heights HS, Lou became the defensive coordinator at Hampden Sydney College (HSC) in 1962.

During his 20 years at HSC, Lou helped build one of Virginia’s greatest football programs together with Tiger coach J. Stokely Fulton.  From 1969 to 1979, his team defense was one of only two Division III programs to limit opponents to a single digit average and in 1970-71 the unit, nicknamed the “coffin squad”, allowed a total of 73 points in 22 games with 11 shutouts as the Tiger football team advanced to the Knute Rockne Bowl in back-to-back seasons.
In 1982, Lou became the head coach at Emory & Henry College in Southwestern Virginia.  He fell in love with the community there and spent the rest of his career coaching the Wasps to 164 victories, 11 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Championships and five NCAA Division III playoff appearances.  He was named ODAC Coach of the Year five times and coached 136 All-ODAC first team players, including 36 All-Americans.

Through his long career he coached football, track and field, wrestling, lacrosse and golf.  He has been honored with inductions into the Highland Springs Hall of Fame (HOF), the University of Richmond HOF, the Hampden Sydney HOF, the Emory & Henry HOF and the Virginia Sports HOF.  He retired in 2004 and has spent his retirement in Emory supporting the college and its athletic programs as a proud member of the Irregulars.

Beyond these achievements, Coach loved spending time with friends and family, whether on the golf course, at a tailgating party, on the beach in Florida or in the comfort of his Emory home.  He was a mentor for more than two thousand student athletes who always found a time and a place in his heart for his extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Wallace Wacker in 1997. He is survived by three children: Bruce Wacker Forehand and husband, Tom, of Surry, Va.; Kristen Wacker Kraus and husband, John, of Pittsboro, N.C.; and Louis Alexander “Alex” Wacker, III, of New Town, N.D.; three granddaughters: Anna Whitehead, Adele Kraus, and Robin Kraus; one great granddaughter, Rhoda Karubian; one sister, Sue Ellen Gathright; and long-time companion and best friend, Patty Bales of Emory, Va.

A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Emory and Henry College on Saturday, February 23, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. David Jackson officiating.  A reception will be held in the fellowship hall following the service. 

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the I-HEY fund at Emory & Henry College which benefits all athletes (P.O. Box 950, Emory, VA 24327). 

The stories and memories are many and will live on. Raise a glass and toast your favorite memory of “Coach.”

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guestbook.  The family of Louis Alexander “Lou” Wacker, Jr. is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).