FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
CHICAGO – Former Northern Illinois associate head coach Steve Joslyn has been hired as the new head baseball coach at Chicago State University, CSU Athletic Director Dan Schumacher announced on Wednesday (Aug. 8).
“Steve’s recruiting success at NIU, combined with his unmatched knowledge of the Chicagoland baseball landscape, makes him the perfect choice to lead the Chicago State baseball program,” Schumacher said. “I’m looking forward to watching Steve grow the program and put Chicago State back on the baseball map.”
Joslyn spent the last 10 years as an assistant at Northern Illinois under Ed Mathey. As NIU’s main assistant, Joslyn earned the title of associate head coach in 2008.
“I’d like to thank Mr. Schumacher and Chicago State President Wayne Watson for the opportunity,” Joslyn said. “I’m excited for the challenges that lie ahead and the chance to run my own team.”
Joslyn hopes to hit the ground running at Chicago State, literally.
“We’re going to play with a lot of energy and execute the fundamentals,” Joslyn said. “With some of the new facilities planned at Chicago State in mind I’d like to be an aggressive, speed-orientated team that forces action.”
Joslyn’s efforts at NIU helped the Huskies bring in three nationally ranked recruiting classes to DeKalb.
“The goal is to get the best players in the area and keep them in the city to play in front of their family and friends,” Joslyn said. “It doesn’t mean we won’t go outside the area to find talent, but it is important to keep the Public and Catholic League kids already in our backyard in the city.”
NIU racked up a 70-33 record against Illinois in-state Division I opponents during Joslyn’s 10 seasons in the dugout. All told, Joslyn helped the Huskies to 255 victories and five Mid-American Conference Tournament appearances. NIU’s 2003 and 2007 clubs each won a school-record 34 games.
Under the supervision of Joslyn, the Huskies set the two highest fielding percentage marks in NIU’s Division I history. In 2011, NIU committed the fewest errors (74) than any other previous team during Joslyn’s time at NIU. Due in large part to his defense and his bat, shortstop Alex Jones was a quarterfinalist for the Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award in 2011.
Nearly every graduating outfielder tutored by Joslyn at Northern Illinois has signed a professional baseball contract, including Jeff Thomas in 2008 who led the Huskies with a .350 batting average. Also in 2008, Guerin Prep product shortstop Bobby Stevens was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 16th round of the MLB Amateur Draft.
Off the field, NIU’s Troy White was named one of 30 finalists for the 2012 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. The honor is annually given to an NCAA Division I senior with notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition. White, a Whitney Young graduate, was also an All-MAC performer at NIU.
“I want to also thank Ed (Mathey) and NIU Athletic Director Jeff Compher for their support,” Joslyn said. “They are just two of several individuals who helped make this day possible.”
Joslyn served as an assistant for the Quincy Gems of the Central Illinois Collegiate League during the summer of 2005 and helped the team capture the league championship.
The Oswego, Ill., native began his college baseball coaching career at his alma mater, North Central College, where he first worked with Mathey in 1996 and immediately helped guide the Cardinals to a conference title. Two years later, NCC generated a 28-15-1 record, a runner-up finish at the NCAA Central Regional and a No. 15 final national ranking by Collegiate Baseball.
THE JOSLYN FILE
Coaching:
2012 Head Coach, Chicago State
2008-2012 Associate Head Coach, Northern Illinois
2003-2007 Assistant Coach, Northern Illinois
2005 Assistant Coach, Quincy Gems (Summer)
1996-2002 Assistant Coach, North Central
1995-2001 Head Basketball Coach, Downers Grove North High School
1989-95 Head Baseball and Basketball Coach, West Pike High School
1987-89 Assistant Football, Basketball and Baseball Coach, Oswego High School
1987 Freshmen Baseball Coach, St. Charles High School
1986-87 Assistant Basketball Coach, Aurora East High School
1986 Assistant Coach, Aurora University
Education: B.A., Health, Physical Education and Recreation. North Central College, 1986.
What they are saying about Steve Joslyn:
Ed Mathey (Northern Illinois Head Baseball Coach)
“Steve Joslyn will do a wonderful job for Chicago State University baseball. Steve is a ‘professional’ in every sense of the word. He is hardworking, dedicated, organized and knowledgeable. During his 10 seasons here at NIU, he has been a major factor in our successes. The student-athletes who have been coached by ‘Jocko’ have all seen improvement on and off the playing field. I have no doubt that he will continue to carry on that mission while at Chicago State. It is a great hire!”
Paul Stevens (Northwestern Head Baseball Coach)
“Steve Joslyn is a terrific choice for Chicago State as its head baseball coach. He is very student-athlete oriented. Steve understands the importance of academics and recognizes the fact that a great education is an insurance policy for the future. In addition, he has a history of developing some great talent on the diamond.”
Dan Hartleb (Illinois Head Baseball Coach)
“I am extremely excited for Steve and the opportunity he has earned at Chicago State. Steve has done an outstanding job during his tenure as an assistant at NIU. He has worked very hard and has been very visible on the recruiting trail. He is very well respected by his peers as he is a person of integrity that has a positive influence on the baseball community. Steve undoubtedly will be a great addition to the Chicago State athletic department and will help to elevate the baseball program.”
Greg Beals (Ohio State Head Baseball Coach)
“I am very excited for Steve and this opportunity for him to be the head baseball coach at Chicago State University. I have been on the field competing with Coach Joslyn many times in our Mid-American Conference days and I was always impressed with the professionalism and preparation that he and his teams presented. Steve will work diligently to move the Chicago State program in a forward direction.”
