Washburn head coach Steve Anson finished 2014, his 35th season at Washburn, as the winningest active coach in the MIAA. He passed away on June 22, 2014 in an accident on his property.
Anson coached 1,645 games in his 35 years at Washburn starting in 1980. He compiled an 844-798-3 (.520) record with the Ichabods. He coached his 800th win in 2012 as he guided the Ichabods to one of their most successful seasons in recent years. They went 27-24 and finished fourth in the MIAA.  Â
Anson has coach three players to five different All-America awards in his 34 years. Two players have been selected in the MLB Draft and two have gone on to play in the Majors. Most recently, shortstop Jerad Head signed as an amateur free agent with Cleveland in 2005 and made it to the Majors in 2011.
Anson has coached 18 all-region players, 12 all-MIAA first-teamers and 96 total all-MIAA selections. His players have also excelled in the classroom with two players earning the highest honors. Andy Petz was named first team Capital One Academic All-America in 2011 and Pat Colley earned a second team honor in 2000 and a third team honor in 2001.
A major reason for success in 2012 was because of senior third baseman John Calhoun. Anson coached the transfer player to three different All-America awards in 2012, making him the most decorated player in school history.
Anson earned his 800th win on April 14, 2012 in an extra-inning game against Lincoln at Falley Field.
In 2007, Anson became the 26th coach in NCAA Division II history to reach 700 wins and he currently has the most wins among active MIAA coaches. Amongst the WU coaches, Anson ranks first in wins (818), seasons coached (34) and games coached (1,595).
Anson coached a pair of all-region players in 2007, including Wes Joy, the first Ichabod to be named MIAA freshman of the year. In 2006 Anson led Washburn to a 29-25 record and its first trip to the MIAA postseason tournament since 2001. The Ichabods won a game in the tournament and finished seventh in the region in the final NCAA regional poll, one spot away from a trip to the NCAA tournament.
Anson has guided the Ichabods to eight 30-win seasons, 11 bids in the MIAA postseason tournament, five NAIA District 10 playoff appearances and a Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) crown. He was named the CSIC coach of the year after his team won the conference championship in 1989 and the MIAA coach of the year in 1994 after Washburn went 37-13. His 1991 squad won the MIAA North Division title and finished runner-up at the conference postseason tournament.
2000 was a banner year for the Ichabods as they finished the season 37-21. The 37 wins tied a school record for wins in one season. The Ichabods also set numerous school records for hits, triples, doubles and at-bats.
Anson joined the Washburn staff in 1979 after one season as head coach at Wayne State (Neb.). While at Wayne State, the Wildcats were 23-22 and Anson was picked as NAIA Area III coach of the year.
As a member of the Washburn athletics staff, Anson has also served as men's basketball assistant coach and assistant athletic director. Current head basketball coach
Bob Chipman hired him as an assistant.
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A native of Mishawaka, Indiana, Anson was a true student-athlete for Kansas State University. On the field, he was a four-year letterman who won the Big Eight batting title in 1974 (.439) and earned first team all-conference honors.
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Anson graduated cum laude in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He earned his master's in education in 1978. Anson was named to the Wildcats all-Century team, one of 21 former players to be named to the team. He holds the K-State career record with 19 triples.
Anson is married to Dena Anson, the director of University Relations at Washburn.
