Coaches Corner: Matt Clingersmith (Head Coach Niagara County Community College)

January 11, 2016

Charlie Karstedt
Assistant Director, New York

As the New Year begins we will look to launch some new baseball material to our website. One addition to the PBR New York page that we are especially excited to release is our weekly “Coaches Corner” where we'll sit down for a brief Q & A with college coaches across New York. In these interviews we will not only get some background on their respective programs but also get some honest feedback for young ball players and parents going through the recruiting process. Who better to talk to about what coaches are looking for than those doing the hands on recruiting themselves?

Matt Clingersmith (Head Coach, Niagara CCC)

College or University: Niagara County Community College
Coaches Name: Matt Clingersmith
Coaches Title: Head Coach

PBR: Can you please give a little background on the NCCC Baseball Program?

Clingersmith: This is my 10th year at NCCC. In 10 years we have placed 71 students into four year college institutions. We have also had two players pursue professional baseball careers. In the past decade we have accumulated three JUCO World Series appearances and over 300 wins.

PBR: What is unique to your program that your staff and team takes great pride in?

Clingersmith: We take great pride in development of student athletes in the classroom and ball diamond. More so than the wins and losses but helping change their future and help them getting into another college or university after their two years with our program.

PBR: What do you look for in potential players?

Clingersmith: First thing is A, Genuine Interest in our program. B, Character of the kid. C, Have the will to get better and develop and genuinely want to be with our program.

PBR: Are there any immediate “Red Flags” when recruiting players?

Clingersmith: Sometimes the character of kids and them not following how our program defines that. (What you do when no one's looking) If a player tends to cause trouble either in school or socially outside, those are significant red flag for us.

PBR: Academically are there any base numbers that you look for ACT: SAT: GPA?

Clingersmith: We prefer high GPA student-athletes, however we are able to enroll a majority of potential student athletes being a community college.

PBR: Have any players gone on to play professionally from your program if so how many?

Clingersmith: Sean Jamison Currently on the Canadian National Team Drafted by the Oakland A’s, Christian Barzykowski from Alden, NY, Drafted by the Atlanta Braves

PBR: Do you have any interesting facts or stories unique to NCCC Baseball?

Clingersmith: We are a small school with a student to teacher ration of 15:1 It's a great place to be a 'Big Fish Small Pond'. This is something that is very appealing to most prospective student athletes as they’ll have the opportunity to get more personal attention in the classroom throughout the first 2 years of their college education.

PBR: Do you have any advice for prospective student athletes?

Clingersmith: Always play the game hard because you don’t know who is watching. Even if you don’t think you’re interested in a particular school who is in attendance watching you, they know guys that you may be interested in and can either help or hinder your chances.

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