December 15, 2004

NIU Skipper Ed Mathey Named Collegiate Coach of the Year By Pitch & Hit Club Of Chicago

DeKALB, IL - Northern Illinois University head baseball coach Ed Mathey was named the Collegiate Baseball Coach of the Year by the Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago Wednesday (Dec. 15) afternoon after leading the Huskies to their second consecutive 30-win season and a berth to the Mid-American Conference Tournament.

Mathey, a native of the South Chicago suburb of Harvey, IL, has helped revitalize a Northern Illinois program that had enjoyed just nine winning seasons over the previous 52 years. In his two seasons as head coach in DeKalb, NIU has gone a remarkable 65-52 and has enjoyed back-to-back 30 win campaigns. Prior to Mathey's initial season in 2003, NIU had never won 30 games and hadn't enjoyed back-to-back winning ledgers since 1971 and 1972.

"It's a tremendous honor and privilege to receive this award," Mathey said. "The Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago is made up of the best baseball people in Chicago, from current and former players and coaches, to scouts and front office personnel. To be recognized by such a prestigious organization is truly humbling."

Last year, Northern Illinois went 31-28, which included an impressive 14-10 mark in Mid-American Conference tilts. A contender for the MAC West Division crown throughout the season, NIU defeated East Division champion Miami (Ohio) in the opening round of the MAC Tournament before bowing out with an 8-6 loss to eventual champion Kent State University. The 2004 Huskies enjoyed another banner year under Mathey as they scored 401 runs over 59 games (6.8 rpg) and hit 46 homers, despite going without the services of their top home run hitter from 2003, Mike Santoro, who was forced to redshirt with a stress fracture in his foot. Those 401 runs and 46 "round-trippers" ranked second in school history to NIU's 2003 totals of 408 runs and 70 homers. In just two seasons, Mathey has led the Huskies to single-season school records in wins (34), hits (624), runs scored (408), home runs (70) and triples (21). On the mound, NIU has produced the school's career wins leader (20, Zach Minor), the single-season wins leader (9, Joe Piekarz), the single-season strikeout leader (96, Piekarz) and the single-season saves leader (14, Mark Badgley). Piekarz also became NIU's first, First Team All-MAC pick since 1980, while fellow left-hander Minor and shortstop Greg Larsen garnered Second Team honors. Over the summer, sophomore Scott Simon earned Summer All-America accolades from Baseball America after being named "Most Valuable" at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, KS. The Algonquin, IL, product hit .519 over nine games and his 19 hits were the second most in Series history.

In the 2004 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, the Huskies had a school record five players selected, including seniors Rob Marconi (22nd round, Baltimore), Minor (25th round, Baltimore) and Trevor Wohlgemuth (26th round, San Francisco), while the returning Santoro was picked as "Draft and Follow" by San Francisco in the 49th round. NIU signee Brett Scarpetta was selected in the 18th round by the Chicago White Sox, while Piekarz was a free agent pickup by the Oakland Athletics.

"There is some good momentum building at Northern Illinois and it's a testament to all the people involved," Mathey said. "It starts with our players and coaches. Our players are driven to succeed and that makes us all look great as coaches. Next, our administration has been tremendous in allowing us to do what we love, which is teach the game of baseball."

Mathey and others will be honored at a Jan. 16, 2005, banquet at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago has been supporting the baseball community for more than 60 years by "recognizing and honoring the achievements of those in the professional baseball community." In addition to honoring the outstanding achievements of Mathey, 2004-05 honorees will include Chicago White Sox representatives Ozzie Gullien and Aaron Rowand among others.

For those wishing to purchase tickets to the Jan. 16 event, please contact Chip Sobek of the Pitch & Hit Club at (219) 365-6236.