Luke Stewart enters his seventh season as an assistant coach for the NIU Baseball program.
"I am lucky to have Coach Stewart on board. He is an Illinois native with recruiting ties to Chicagoland and the Midwest. His work ethic, character and communication skills will make him an instant hit with our players, alumni and recruits," said Head Coach Mike Kunigonis at the hiring.
Stewart began his coaching career at Illinois after getting drafted by the New York Mets in the 20th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft following a successful baseball career at UAB.
A former Georgia transfer, Stewart wrapped up his three-year stint at UAB with 49 career home runs, which is tied for the most in program history. The Normal, Ill., native hit 21 of those homers as a senior in 2010 on his way to first-team All-Conference USA honors.
A career .288 hitter, Stewart started 165 games over his three years at UAB and spent the past two seasons as the Blazers' everyday first baseman. His 167 career RBI rank fourth at UAB, while his 127 walks rank second in school annals.
Stewart began his collegiate baseball career at Georgia in 2007 and played one year before transferring to UAB. He graduated from UAB with a communications degree in 2013 and began assisting the Illini this fall.
Stewart has family ties to Illinois, with his brother, Jake, earning varsity letters with Illini baseball in 2005-06 and his father, Jeff, playing football for Illinois.
THE STEWART FILE
Education: UAB (2013); B.S. Communications
Hometown: Normal, Ill.
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE
2014 Illinois, Volunteer Assistant Coach
PROFESSIONAL PLAYING EXPERIENCE
2011 Kingsport Mets (Appalachian, Rookie)
2011 Brooklyn Cyclones (New York-Penn, A-)
2010 Kingsport Mets (Appalachian, Rookie)
