Prep Baseball Report

Q&A College Coach Edition: University of Northern Colorado Coach Iwasaki




By Jeff Markle
Assistant State Director

The early college signing period has come and gone and Colorado had great representation among in-state and out of state schools.  Prep Baseball Report Colorado would like to bring you a closer look at many of the schools who have signed 2015 Colorado baseball players.  Our next Q&A College Coaches Edition features The University of Northern Colorado and Coach Carl Iwasaki.  Located in Greeley, Colorado, Northern Colorado won a Great West Conference Championship in 2013 and made a move the the Western Athletic Conference in 2014. This year UNC recruited No. 31 2015 Brighton shortstop Connor Reynolds.

PBR:  Describe Northern Colorado Baseball to those who have not seen you play?

Iwasaki:  The Northern Colorado baseball program is a player development Division 1 college program.  Our players are fundamentally sound who play hard baseball for nine full innings.

PBR:  What do you look for in players during the recruiting process?

Iwasaki:  We look for players who posses a high level of skill at their position as well as academic success, character & leadership.  

PBR:  Who are some the most notable Colorado ballplayers you've recently had play for you? 

Iwasaki:   Jerod Bergren, T.J. Berge, Casey Coy, Josh Tinnon, Chris Hammer, Joe Sawiki, Joe Willman & Kevin Willman.

PBR:  What advice do you have for prospects about the recruiting process?

Iwasaki:   Visit your top schools and attend their camp and meet the coaches and players.  focus on schools based on your academic field of interest match your skill level to the level of play with who you play against, who you play with and who you will play for.

PBR:  How do you view Colorado baseball and our players?

Iwasaki:   In-state Colorado players have steadily progressed in recent years with the opportunity to play more games with the increase in number of fall and summer club programs. Our in-state players are good athletes who are coached by high quality high school and club coaches.

PBR:  If possible tell us your fondest Northern Colorado baseball memory to date:

Iwasaki:   Wins against Washington State, Nebraska, Kansas State & BYU.  Winning the 2013 Great West Conference championship and accepting the invitation to join the Western Athletic Conference in the 2014 spring season.

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