John Weitzel

John Weitzel was a small business owner who sponsored Victory League teams in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

Originally from LaCrosse, Weitzel owned machine shops in Wichita, Attica and LaCrosse.  For more than twenty years, the John Weitzel Cowboys were a fixture in the Victory League.  Several teams advanced to the National Baseball Congress World Series, including the 1958 Kansas State Champion team.  

In addition to offering opportunity on the field, players would often work in Weitzel’s machine shops.  Weitzel also embraced diversity.  His final Cowboy team in 1971 was managed by former Negro League great Frank Evans.  

Weitzel died in 1973 and is buried in LaCrosse.