Seattle University head baseball coach Donny Harrel has announced that Casey Powell, the former head baseball coach at Whitman College, will join the Seattle University baseball program as an assistant coach to help the team prepare for its first season of competition in 2009-10.
Powell will work with the hitters on bunting and “small ball” offensive tactics, plus he will help the middle infielders improve their defensive skills. Beginning his duties on July 1, he will also act as recruiting coordinator and as an academic liaison between the players and the athletic department.
“We are extremely happy to have hired Casey. He will be a great recruiter for us and has strong ties in the states of Arizona and Oregon,” Harrel said. “He brings great energy and passion to the field and will make us better each day with his enthusiasm and passion for the game.”
Powell had been the head coach at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., since 2003, helping the Division III program compete within the Northwest Conference. Before taking the head job at Whitman, Powell served as an assistant coach at Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore., for four seasons.
“Casey brings head coaching experience into the position and has done a great job at Whitman with their high academic standards and know-how to help student-athletes balance sport with academics,” said Harrel.
A native of Bend, Ore., Powell was named Northwest Conference Player of the Year during his junior season at Linfield, hitting .405 with 17 stolen bases. In his senior season, the second baseman hit .397 from the leadoff spot and picked up his second consecutive first team All-NWC honor.
The Seattle University baseball program will join the rest of the athletic department in Year Two of the reclassification process towards Division I membership beginning July 1, 2009. The team will play a full Division I schedule in the spring 2010 season.