MILWAUKEE, Wis. (January 26, 2017) – Bryant & Stratton College has hired Mike Zolecki as the first head baseball coach of its Wisconsin program for the inaugural season starting in 2018. Zolecki will lead the launch and development of the Bobcats program on and off the field.

Zolecki has begun recruiting high school senior student athletes for the fall 2017 semester. The team will begin scrimmages against other collegiate teams this fall to prepare for the spring 2018 inaugural season. 

Bryant & Stratton College belongs to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 4, competing at the Division II level, which gives the opportunity to offer athletic scholarships to student athletes. The team is currently independent of a conference.

The college is launching baseball, softball and women's golf this fall for the 2017-18 school year. Bobcats Athletics currently offers men's and women's basketball and men's golf and plans to add women's volleyball and men's and women's soccer in 2018. 

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Mike to the Bryant & Stratton family to establish and build the baseball program," said Bryant & Stratton College's Athletic Director Greg Brandner. "Mike's experience as a player and collegiate coach along with his passion for teaching the game made him stand out as the person to build a successful and competitive program."

Zolecki was head baseball coach at Cardinal Stritch University from 2003-15, posting a 147-340 record. He led the Wolves to consecutive 20-win seasons in 2012-13 while mentoring 12 NAIA Region VII Scholar Athletes, 14 All-CCAC student athletes, one conference player of the year and one freshman player of the year.

A South Milwaukee native, Zolecki was a standout pitcher at Thomas More High School (Milwaukee). He attended St. Mary's University (San Antonio, TX), where he earned three letters as a pitcher.

Zolecki was drafted in the fifth round of the 1993 MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies. Zolecki played six seasons in the minors, reaching as high as AA, for the Rockies and Chicago White Sox organizations.

"I feel honored to be given this opportunity." Zolecki said. "I am excited to be part of building a program, feel energized and ready to go!"

Zolecki holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from St. Mary's University where he was elected into the institutions Hall of Fame in 2008. Zoleck also hold a Masters degree in Sport Management from Cardinal Stritch.

Zolecki currently resides in Eagle, WI, with his wife, and two children