Northern Illinois University Athletics

2013 Mid-American Conference West Division Champions

Entering his 13th season at the helm of Northern Illinois baseball in 2014-15, Ed Mathey continues to leave an indelible mark on the program and set new standards and precedents for the Huskie baseball program. NIU[apos]s all-time coaching victories leader (294-371-2) has produced one Mid-American Conference West division championship, the four highest win totals in school history and has helped 28 former players earn professional contracts since arriving in 2003.

In his collegiate coaching tenure, the 21-year veteran has led his teams to a multitude of unprecedented team accomplishments and individual accolades. With over 400 wins (499-542-4), Mathey has helped produce 59 all-conference selections, 34 professional players, 20 all-region selections, 11 MLB draft picks and eight All-Americans.

Entering the season with 14 newcomers, 12 of which were freshman, the Huskies entered 2013 in a rebuilding process. However, the returning players had other plans in mind as Northern Illinois improved from a 7-20 MAC record in 2012 to 16-11 in 2013 to claim its first ever Mid-American Conference West division championship.

The first sign of a season of destiny was March 3rd as the Huskies defeated Minnesota, 2-1, in the Dairy Queen Classic at the Metrodome. NIU also claimed non-conference victories at Nevada and at 2012 NCAA Regional qualifier Belmont.

NIU claimed the championship division championship on the last day of the season at Ball State, May 18, in 10 innings as walk-on Connor Schomig hit a three-run double to give the Huskies a 6-3 lead. The cushion proved valuable as BSU bounced back to score one run in the bottom of the 10th, but NIU prevailed to claim its first championship since 1972.

Three Huskies, pitcher Eli Anderson, second baseman Alex Klonowski and first baseman Jeff Zimmerman, were named All-Mid American Conference as Anderson and Klonowski were named to the first team. Anderson led the conference in ERA (2.18) and innings pitched (115.1) in 2013 and went on tie the program record for wins in a season at nine.

Pitching remained strong in 2014 as the Huskies pitching staff posted the programs lowest earned run average, 4.23, since 1977 as NIU set a new record for shutouts in a single season with seven. Klonowski set a new single season record for shutouts with three and tied the career as well en route to Second Team All-MAC honors. Anderson remained strong as well, becoming just the fourth Huskie pitcher (and the second under Mathey) to accumulate 200 career strikeouts, capping his four years with 206 --- the second-most in NIU history.

At the plate, two different Huskies racked up hitting streaks over 10-games as Carl Russell became the first freshman since Zimmerman in 2011 to accomplish the feat, while DeKalb native Brian Sisler ended the season on a 16-game streak of his own. Sisler would go on to improve his batting average 104 points in his sophomore season compared to his freshman year in 2013.

The 2011 season one of heart and determination as Mathey will recollect, as the Huskies opened the season 0-10 and qualified for the Mid-American Conference Tournament and nearly won the MAC West Division with a 30-27 record. It was the fourth-time Mathey had led the Huskies to a 30-win season at Northern Illinois.

National, regional and conference accolades were soon to follow after NIU[apos]s stellar season, as Jeff Zimmerman was named Freshman All-America by Louisville Slugger and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and the MAC[apos]s Freshman of the Year. Alex Jones was a quarterfinalist for the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award and along with Zimmerman, was an all-region pick by the American Baseball Coaches Association.

Kyle Glancy was named the Midseason Stopper of the Year Watch List, while Troy White and Tony Manville were named All-MAC at seasons end. During the season, Huskie players combined for eight MAC Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, along with National Player of the Week accolades from Jeremy Gonzales and Jamison Wells.

The wins kept amassing during the 2010 season as Mathey earned a pair of monumental victories. On April 2nd, a win over Buffalo marked his 400th career triumph, while an April 21st decision over Iowa was his 200th win as a Huskie. Two years earlier against Buffalo (March 22, 2008), Mathey became the school[apos]s wins leader.

While achieving such milestone wins, Mathey has elevated NIU[apos]s presence in the Mid-American Conference. He made a splash right away by winning a school-record 34 games, 15 in MAC play, in 2003. He followed with 31 and 14, respectively in 2004 to be named Pitch & Hit Club of Chicago[apos]s Collegiate Coach of the Year. In 2007-08, Mathey led the Huskies to 34 and 28 wins, respectively, and racked up a school-record 16 MAC wins both years. In 2009, the Huskies took down the likes of Mississippi State and Baseball America No. 15 Missouri, both on the road.

Winning has not been the only focus of Mathey[apos]s tenure, however. Because of the pro-style operation of the program, Mathey has churned out 32 professional players and nine MLB draft picks at NIU. Each year thus far at least one of Mathey[apos]s former players has inked a professional contract.

Part of the pro-style orientation of Mathey[apos]s program includes getting a first class, challenging experience. Huskie teams from 2003-2011 have faced national powerhouse programs such as Arizona State, Cal-Poly, Florida Atlantic, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Texas Tech, among others. Mathey has scheduled games at professional ball parks, including U.S. Cellular Field (Chicago White Sox), Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewers), Elfstrom Stadium (Kane County Cougars), Road Ranger Stadium (Rockford RiverHawks), Rent One Park (Southern Illinois Miners) and Dr. Pepper Ballpark (Frisco Roughriders). Mathey has also placed several players in various collegiate wooden bat summer leagues, such as the California, Cape Cod, Northwoods, Prospect and Texas leagues.

The ability to recruit the Chicago and Midwest areas, and beyond, along with a tireless player development effort, has led to Mathey[apos]s success at NIU. Three of his recruiting classes have been ranked by Collegiate Baseball (2005-06, 2008), including a 2008 class that was ranked No. 63 in the nation, which was better than any MAC and Illinois school. Recruiting is not the only area where Mathey holds his own within the state. Since 2003, the Huskies have compiled an impressive 66-29 record against Illinois opponents, including a 44-15 mark versus Division I teams.

Along the way, Mathey[apos]s players have been able to reach impressive individual accolades both on and off the field. Academically, three players have been College Baseball Foundation Honor Roll All-Stars and Academic All-MAC selections. Troy White has been honored twice at Wrigley Field on Jackie Robinson Day as a Jackie Robinson Foundation scholarship recipient. Athletically, outside of the 16 All-MAC selections, the Huskies have had regional and national presence. Adam Holdenrid was awarded NIU[apos]s first Rawlings Gold Glove in 2008. In 2007, German became NIU[apos]s first All-American since 1966 and was a two-time All-Region performer. MAC all-time hits leader Scott Simon was a Lowe[apos]s Senior Class candidate and two-time Brooks Wallace Award Watch List honoree. Simon also earned MVP of the 2004 National Baseball Congress World Series. Additionally, Simon, Mark Badgley and Jordin Hood were Freshman All-Americans.

Prior to becoming a Huskie, Mathey served as head coach at North Central College for nine seasons. At NCC, he was twice named College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Coach of the Year. With three league titles and an NCAA Central Regional runner-up finish, Mathey produced 38 all-conference, 16 all-region and three All-American selections. Seven of his players also signed professional contracts.

Before becoming head coach, the former NCC All-CCIW pitcher spent five seasons as pitching coach at his alma mater under Tom Purcell from 1989-93. Leading up to his role with North Central, Mathey worked as a recommending scout for the Cincinnati Reds and landed his first coaching role as a player/coach for the Newport Rams Baseball Club in Melbourne, Australia, from Sept. 1988 through April 1989.

With a B.A. in marketing and business management and a minor in computer science, the 1986 NCC graduate earned his master[apos]s in athletic administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1991.

A graduate of Thornton High School in Harvey, Ill., Mathey is married to the former Colleen Byrne of South Holland. They have two sons, 16-year-old Patrick and 14-year-old Michael, and a daughter, 13-year-old Juliet.

The Mathey File:
Coaching: 2003-present - Head Coach, Northern Illinois

1994-2002 - Head Coach, North Central College

1989-93 - Assistant Coach, North Central College

1988-89 - Player/Coach, Newport Rams (Melbourne, Australia)

Education: B.A., Marketing and Business Management, Minor, Computer Science. North Central College, 1986.
M.S., Athletic Administration. University of Illinois-Chicago, 1991.

Family: Wife, Colleen; Sons Patrick (16) and Michael (14); Daughter Juliet (13)

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ED MATHEY

[quote]Playing for Coach Mathey during my collegiate career was a great experience both on the field and off. He was a mentor to me on the field and helped me off the field with academics and with my personal life. Coach Mathey was always there for me 24 hours a day and not just when we were on the field and between the lines.[quote] - Matt German, former NIU All-American pitcher and professional in Phillies organization

[quote]I played for Coach Mathey for four years (at NCC and NIU) and he has helped me tremendously during my time playing for him and afterwards. I can honestly say I would not have had the opportunity to play professionally without him. What I learned from him has helped me be successful both in college and in pro baseball He is one of the most loyal coaches you will find in Division I baseball.[quote] - Joe Piekarz, former NCC and NIU pitcher and former Oakland Athletics farmhand

[quote]Ed Mathey is a very good baseball coach that works extremely hard. His team[apos]s always compete and play fundamentally solid baseball. Northern Illinois is fortunate to have Coach Mathey in their dugout.[quote] - Scott Stricklin, University of Georgia Head Coach

[quote]Coach Mathey has an excellent rapport with his players and institutes an excellent mentor program among the members of his team that really aids individual player development. He does a great job in making use of each of his players and their individual skills. He utilizes all the players on his roster by getting them productively into games.[quote] - Bob Szymkowski, Area Scouting Supervisor, Philadelphia Phillies

[quote]It is always a pleasure to see Coach Mathey[apos]s teams play. They are certainly well prepared and have a winner[apos]s mentality and an edge to them that you know the game is never over. I have had the privilege of meeting some of his players and I know his kids respect him greatly and he has a great relationship with them. I am confident in recommending anyone there.[quote] - Pat Murphy, El Paso Chihuahuas Manager (San Diego Padres, AAA)

[quote]When you play one of Ed Mathey[apos]s teams you face a team that is well-coached in all areas of the game and has an approach that shows that they enjoy playing. They play hard, will come after you and are not intimidated. Coach Mathey does a great job with his team and his players do the things you want them to do - pitch well, play good defense and enjoy playing the game. Playing his team is always a good test for us because they won[apos]t come in and roll over. [quote] - Larry Hays, former Texas Tech Head Coach

MATHEY YEAR-BY-YEAR