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By Aaron Wilson
PBR Michigan Assistant Scouting Director

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Coach Rob Fay Hired As 1st Coach For Schoolcraft College

Rob Fay has been hired as the 1st head coach of the Schoolcraft College baseball program. Coach Fay joins Schoolcraft after revitalizing the Dearborn Edsel Ford program that has seen great talents such as World Series Champion Derek Lowe come through it. He’s also been the head coach of the Southeast team at the Crossroads Baseball Series All Star Showcase for the past two years. Rob led his Edsel Ford team to a District Championship in 2013 and earned Coach of The Year Honors in his League. He looks to continue his success from the high school level now into the college ranks. Coach Fay took some time to discuss his plans & goals about the new program.

Players interested in joining the Schoolcraft college program Coach Fay can be reached via email at [email protected]

PBR: How important is it that Schoolcraft has a baseball program now?

Coach Fay: We feel it is very important for Schoolcraft to start a program. There are a lot great baseball players that end their careers after High School because 1) they may not have the financial means for a 4 year school 2) they need to improve on their academics 3) they need another year or two to allow themselves to get stronger. It appears every high school in our surrounding area offers baseball so it only makes sense for us to have it.

PBR: When do you start competition and how do you think you're guys will do?

Coach Fay: We will start competition next year as we compete in the MCCAA. We expect to compete. I have never coached a team where I didn't. It will be a tough road due to the inexperience of our players but we feel that they are up to the challenge.

PBR: How has it been recruiting so far?

Coach Fay: I am very pleased with where we are at with recruiting. The high school and travel ball coaches have been very supportive as they know they will be sending their players to a great college that stresses the student part of student athlete first. They also know that our coaching staff is capable of getting the most out of there former players and they will continue to be taught to play the game the right way.

PBR: What are you looking for in potential recruits?

Coach Fay: During the recruiting process we stressed that we wanted good character young men. Being a new program we will all be learning on the fly. The players will need to make adjustments just like the coaches. We wanted players that wanted to be here. That once they found out Schoolcraft was starting a program that we were one of the top schools on their list and not just an afterthought.

PBR: After so many years and building a winning program at Edsel Ford what made you decided to leave?

Coach Fay: Leaving Edsel Ford was not an easy decision. I have had great support while I was there which lead to our success. Coaching at the next level has always been a goal of mine.  I felt someday I would have the opportunity to do so in the process we developed our Junior Varsity coaches so that when the time came they could step right in. The decision was not an easy one but after talking it over with my family, and knowing I could get George Kontos and Bob Bracci to come be part of my coaching staff I knew it was the right one. Plus Schoolcraft has been very successful with their other athletic programs. I knew right away we would get all the support we need from the college and Athletic Department. They have the same goals for our program as we do and will support us in meeting those goals.

PBR:  What factors do you feel will make you successful at the collegiate level?

Coach Fay: There are a lot of factors that play a role in any coach being successful. You have to have the support from home. Being a successful coach means you will be taking time away from your family.  You have to be at an institution that supports you and lets you coach. They also need to support you with proper facilities to enable you to get the most out of your athletes. We have a top notch fitness center on campus which is very important for our guys. You need to have the right people around you which I feel I have with my coaching staff. No head coach is successful without great assistant coaches and I have them. Players also need to stay healthy. We are very fortunate at Schoolcraft to have the Athletic Trainers from St. Mary’s Hospital Mercy Elite Sports Performance taking care of our athletes not only to rehabilitate but more importantly help prevent injuries. The philosophy of our coaching staff is simple. Give us 100% all the time. Whether it is running the bases or raking the field. If you can get your athletes to take that approach not only will they be successful on the field but also in life. That is not always easy to do so it starts with our staff showing the players we are committed to them and their futures and every day we must also give that 100%. Next is team, team, and team. Even though being a JUCO we are trying to develop and showcase players for 4 years schools we do not believe they will be able to reach their individual goals without putting the team first.

PBR: What's your biggest challenge?

Coach Fay: The initial biggest challenge was that I was hired just a few months ago and that put us behind in the recruiting process.  However, once I did get hired there were a few players right off the bat that I wanted and we were able to get. Of course we missed out on some talented kids but we feel we have overcome that obstacle with whom we were able to recruit. Not to mention we are recruiting for a program that has zero history and at this time does not have a field. Although it has made it difficult the one thing this year’s team can say, no matter what our record is, is that they were part of the first team in Schoolcraft College history. That will carry on with them forever.

PBR: Where will you play your home games?

Coach Fay: Where we will play our home games as of this time is still to be determined.

PBR: What are your short term and long term goals?

Coach Fay: When talking about goals our goals will never change for our program. Our goals will be to win a national championship. I am not trying to sound arrogant or naïve in saying so but I feel that should be every team’s ultimate goal. On a day to day basis our goal is to help these young men to grow to be better people. For them to take care of what they need to in the classroom to prepare them for their futures. To help develop them on the field so they can have the opportunity to continue there playing career at a 4 year college/university.