FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
KALAMAZOO, Mich.– Western Michigan baseball has announced the addition of Bobby Walmsley to the Bronco coaching staff as volunteer assistant. Walmsley was the starting catcher at Grand Valley State the past two seasons after beginning his playing career at Michigan State.
"We were looking for a certain type of person with certain characteristics to fill our volunteer coaching position," said WMU head coach Billy Gernon. "Bobby is an individual that is responsible, energetic, industrious and very respectful. The interviewing process allowed us to find out that as a player, Bobby was a leader on and off the field and was a true extension of the coaching staff. He also grew up in a baseball family with his father being a high school baseball coach as well as having an impressive college career. Bobby’s primary responsibilities will be to prepare our catchers and assist with our hitters."
Walmsley has served as a hitting and catching instructor at the Detroit Batting Academy since 2005 and was part of the L’Anse Creuse High School coaching staff this past season, where he also worked with the hitters and catchers.
Collegiately, Walmsely began his playing career at Michigan State where he was an Academic All-Big Ten selection in 2006. After redshirting a season and undergoing reconstructive shoulder surgery, Walmsley left the Spartan program following his sophomore year. Walmsley made a stop at Mott Community College for the 2007 season, earning First Team All-MCCAA honors before transferring to Grand Valley State where he finished out his career. A two-year starter at catcher for the Lakers, Walmsley helped lead Grand Valley to back-to-back GLIAC championships in 2008 and 2009, as well as a trip to the Division II College World Series in 2009. In 2010, Walmsley signed a professional contract with the Kalamazoo Kings of the Frontier League.
A native of Harrison Township, Mich., Walmsley earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Grand Valley in 2009. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree from Western Michigan.
