By Mike Penn
DIrector of Scouting

Mike Ott enters his first season as head coach at Kalamazoo College and he has already started to make waves around Michigan in his 5 short months on the job. We sat down with Coach Ott to take a look at his vision for K-College, recruiting needs and advice for upcoming recruits.

PBR: How is your first recruiting class at Kalamazoo College shaping up?  What are some needs that you still have to address?
We are extremely thrilled with the type of class we are building here at Kalamazoo College. It is filled with a lot of talent and depth, both of which will make impacts on our program in the fall of 2013.  We have found a great deal of phenomenal students and athletes that we believe are a great fit for Kalamazoo College. These student athletes will assist in rebuilding our baseball program.  They will also be terrific ambassadors for our program and for the college and community as a whole.  Our recruiting coordinator, Andy Drake, has done a brilliant job identifying high character and high academic kids who also excel at baseball. We are starting to receive our first batch of commits, after the Early Decision admissions period, and we are amping up for a busy time after Early Decision admission letters get mailed so we will have a great hold on our class by the early part of the New Year.

PBR: K-College has not been seen as a baseball college in quite some time.  Can you expand on your vision for the program?
Although the last time we won a conference title was in 1927, we have embraced our history and see this as an opportunity to excel and as an enormous challenge. Thus, while history is a fantastic thing, failure is not an option and we are striving for excellence in everything we do, as seen in our attention to detail, and our players are similarly passionate about turning the current program into a viable contender. Moreover, our recruits are as excited to aid in that change while continuing to build on the previous foundation.  

Our current vision is to transform the culture while embracing the challenges that are inherent with change. Fortunately, we have a strong 7 member coaching staff, each of whom is dynamic and provides specific expertise that will enhance our players’ experience. Further, all the coaches are high character individuals who genuinely invest in our student-athletes both on and off the field.  Thus, it is expected that our student athletes strive for excellence while playing, we also believe in setting up our student athletes for academic success. As such, we have implemented a strong academic support aspect to our program with mandatory study tables, class checks and progress reports because we want to provide the absolute best environment for learning and overall character development. The fact that Kalamazoo College is one of most highly renowned academic nations in the state, as well as the nation, has also proven to be a major strength for baseball program.  

Beyond that, we are running things at a Division I level in terms of our strength and conditioning program, equipment and uniform deals, and the way we practice. In terms of recruitment, we have been active in attending events and fostering relationships in order to change the perception around Kalamazoo baseball.  In addition, the commitment Kalamazoo College has shown to their athletic programs, as evidenced by a new $16 million dollar Athletic Fieldhouse and Complex for outdoor sports, is putting us on the map so to speak, as it shows recruits we have top notch facilities as well as a commitment to excellence in athletics.

PBR: What does a typical recruiting cycle for a recruit look like for your program?
As many Division III coaches will tell you, there is no dead period in recruiting so the cycle really never stops.  We attend events throughout the year and strive to identify student athletes both nationally and internationally. Presently, we are actively recruiting students in ten states and are pursuing international students as well. Beyond event attendance, we are in constant communication with our recruits, whether it be via e-mail, phone or text.  We conduct visits with potential student athletes all year long. The individual meetings allow prospects the attention they deserve and desire. Moreover, our foundational relationship with the admissions department, which has been critical in us achieving the success we have had in terms of on campus visits, has helped to solidly the overall athletic and educational commitment afforded to Kalamazoo College students.  

PBR: Often times players get caught up in playing at a certain level (Division I, II, or III). Can you expand on some of the strengths of what the Division III level might have to offer?
This issue with this perception is one of our greatest challenges. The truth of the matter is that it is a privilege to play collegiate athletics. Unfortunately, people often lose sight of this and fail to consider the benefits of each school individually. Great baseball is played at all levels, you can look to our conference and see that immediately, some of the best programs in the region are located in the MIAA. Further, the type of education at a Division III program is an intangible benefit that is often initially overlooked. For instances, you simply cannot substitute the type of academics that Kalamazoo College is known for or what a degree from Kalamazoo College will mean upon graduation. Thus, when a prospect commits it is evident they are here for the right reasons and it is a pleasure to be a part of the beginning of their college journey. 

PBR: What advice would you give to underclassmen starting the process?
To be open to the process and to not shut doors based on someone else’s perception of a school. Unfortunately, too many people are worried about what others think in spite of the fact that the ultimate decision needs to be what is personally best for them. It is okay to take your time when finding the place that is the best academic and athletic fit. In that regard, the NCAA television commercials say it best, 99% of all NCAA Student-Athletes will go pro in something other than their sport and they need to choose the school for all the right reasons. Also, if you are seriously interested in a Division III program, start gaining an understanding of the financial investment that is required and then evaluating various aid and scholarship options early on so the choice of a school does not merely come down to the bottom line cost.  

PBR: Prep Baseball Report came to Michigan in April of 2012.  How have you been able to utilize the information that is provided by Prep Baseball Report to your advantage?
PBR, and especially Mike Penn, has been a tremendous resource.  They put on some of the finest showcases that are around where the kids get great experiences.  They are great to the coaches whether it is the largest Division I or a small Division III school with the type of information they provide.  I also love the feedback, information and stories it provides on other programs and student-athletes.  They also do a great show showing that there are truly strong programs and great things happening in the game of baseball in the State of Michigan.  Whether it is the stories, videos, aid to potential recruits or tweets, the site and service provide kids great exposure and gives them notoriety for their accomplishments and that is a fantastic thing to help move our game forward.