After 33 years of successful baseball coaching Wharton's Floyd Ciruti announced Monday that he's retiring from the sport he loves so much.

Ciruti, 57, actually made the decision before the season started but waited to tell his players until after Saturday's playoff game against Giddings in Sealy.

The Tigers lost the contest to finish at 13-14 on the season.

The biggest reason for Ciruti leaving is to take care of his ill parents, who reside in Baytown.

"I need to be able to go there at least once a week and help them," said Ciruti who intends to start a business. "We'll see what happens there."

He admitted it was a tough decision to make.

"We weighed everything and my family and I talked about it for great lengths."

Seeking his family's input on the decision was nothing new for the coach.

"It was a good ride and I'm proud of my family because they sacrificed so much because of all the time I had to spend out here," said Ciruti.

During his career, Ciruti compiled a 547-310 record for a .637 winning percentage. He collected is 500th win in 2006. This season was Wharton's eight straight season to make the playoffs which is Ciruti's longest streak.

"It doesn't seem like I've been in that many games," said Ciruti who also coached WCJC for one game and won. "That's pretty good."

Ciruti graduated from Sterling High in Baytown. He played baseball and earned his degree at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. He learned about the Wharton job from Helen Matula who's son Rick played for the Bearcats. He was looking for a place he could stay.

"I knew that I wasn't a guy that wanted to move around," said Ciruti. "I had opportunities to go some other places but I wanted to stay here. It was a good town and my family was comfortable.

While Ciruti didn't win a state championship, he was proud of his accomplishments. His 1980 team made it to the state tournament and got beat 4-2 by DeSoto

Ciruti had high expectations every year.

"That's the only way I knew how to do things," said Ciruti. "That's what I was taught. I did it my way and did it fair. I gained respected from other schools and coaches for our Wharton teams."

Ciruti had 70 plus players who went on to play college ball and at least 10 played in minor league organizations.

Ciruti emphasized that he'll stick around Wharton and support the Tiger baseball team.

"I want to see some of these young kids that I have this year finish," said Ciruti.

"I'll always be a Wharton Tiger. This is my hometown and they won't have a better fan than I am."

Ciruti gained respect from his peers in Wharton County over the past 20 years.

Wharton graduate and El Campo coach Kerry Brandl praised Ciruti for his accomplishments.

"As a player, an assistant, and as an opponent I can say there are very few that have a passion for the game that he has," said Brandl.

First year East Bernard coach Doug Grigar echoed Brandl's sentiments. He added playing Ciruti's teams was always tough.

"Every time I coached against Floyd (at Needville), I knew that Wharton would be as prepared to play as any team in the state. "We had some very intense games against each other and that competitiveness made me a better coach.

"I wish him the best in retirement; I congratulate him on a great career and I just hope that he leaves a few fish in the water for me.

Sweeny and former Boling coach, Scott Carter has known Ciruti for 15 years and developed an admiration of his contributions to coaching.

"Floyd was a teacher of the game and made sure he always got the most from his kids. He spent countless hours being involved with the Houston Area Baseball Coaches Association as well as the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association. He has had a positive influence on many coaches and players including myself. Floyd Ciruti will be missed as a coach but he will always be a friend."

Former East Bernard coach Greg Murrile also praised Ciruti for his success.

"Even though I never had an opportunity to face off against him on the diamond, he was always generous to us when we needed to use the field in Wharton for playoff games, and they always treated us like family and made us feel right at home," Murrile said.

Ciruti reserved his own praise for his wife Marguerite and her support over the past 33 seasons.

"In my first year here, we were digging and edging the baselines," said Ciruti. "We had a hoe and a rake. When I came home, she always had a smile on her face and they can't make a better coach's wife.

Ciruti was also proud that he got the opportunity to coach his son Charles who went on to play at Wharton County Junior College.

"I was blessed," said Ciruti. "He made it easy for me because he could play."

Ciruti also coached all levels of football and coached boys and girls cross country for two seasons.

"It was the first time that Wharton had two full teams to go to district in the cross country meet," said Ciruti. "I really enjoyed coaching freshman football because I was the guy who called the plays. It's fun watching them come in as freshmen and watch them grow through the system."

2008 #..................................13-14

2007 #....................................23-7

2006 #..................................19-10

2005 #.................................17-11

2004 #..................................15-10

2003 # .................................16-10

2002 #..................................10-14

2001 #....................................19-8

2000.....................................14-10

1999.......................................9-12

1998 #..................................12-12

1997.....................................12-15

1996.......................................19-7

1995.....................................16-11

1994 #..................................18-10

1993 #..................................13-12

1992 #....................................15-9

1991 #....................................15-8

1990.......................................12-8

1989.......................................17-5

1988.......................................16-6

1987 #....................................20-8

1986 #..................................17-11

1985 #....................................17-9

# Designates made playoffs