Entering his 16th season as Head Coach at The College of St. Scholastica, John Baggs has established a program that continues to draw attention at both the national and local level. Under Baggs, St. Scholastica baseball has become synonymous with success while producing some of the most exciting moments in CSS athletics history.  In 1998, Baggs became the winningest coach ever at St. Scholastica in any sport. Baggs was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up playing baseball in Hanover Park.  He graduated from IowaStateUniversity in 1989 with a B.A. in Journalism and English.  Hired at St. Scholastica in 1991 when he was only 24 years old, he was the youngest Head Coach in the country at the time. Following a 33-10 season in 1996, Baggs was selected to coach Team USA II, an NCAA all-star team that won the International Series ’96 in Apeldoorn, Holland.  The next summer he was chosen to coach Team America, and led that team to a first-place trophy in Solingen, Germany.  He has a 27-3 record coaching USA teams internationally. Baggs has been a member of the Pro Baseball-College Baseball relations committee and served on the national rules committee.  Baggs won Louisville Slugger Coach of the Year of awards in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and was voted UMAC Coach of the Year in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006. Coach Baggs is credited with turning the CSS baseball team into a nationally-ranked program; the Saints won just 34 games in the five years prior to his arrival in Duluth – they have won 185 in the last five years.  He directed the Saints to a Top 20 NAIA national ranking in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, and NCAA Top 20 national rankings in 1998, 1999, 2005 and 2006.  Last season Baggs’ Saints reached #4 in the final 2006 regular season poll. Earning high honors after leading the Saints to a 41-11 record and the NAIA Regional Championship in 2000, Baggs was named ABCA Regional Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the NAIA National Coach of the Year award.  He was voted the ABCA Regional Coach of the Year again in 2003. He has coached eighteen All-Americans and twelve of his players have gone on to sign professional contracts. Baggs, an accomplished guest speaker, has given coaching clinics in dozens of communities. A former third-baseman, he was also an effective pitcher in a closer’s role.  He coaches both pitchers and hitters in the CSS system. Coach Baggs is described by his players as a “demanding player’s coach.” “Excelling in the classroom and on the baseball field can be demanding,” Baggs said. “So we want our student-athletes to enjoy what they are working toward in both areas.  I want them to really enjoy the college experience, but at the same time to be highly successful academically and on the baseball field.” Baggs and his wife Colleen live in Duluth with their son Maddux (6) and daughter Josie (2).

Tim Anderson, a 37-year-old Two Harbors, Minnesota native enters his 15th year as an assistant under Coach Baggs in 2007. “TA” was inducted into the St. Scholastica Hall of Fame in 1999.  He was an honorable mention All-Region pitcher for the Saints in 1992 and also started at second base.  He earned four varsity letters at CSS after collecting four baseball letters at TwoHarborsHigh School.  Anderson has coached well over 100 all-conference and all-region hitters during his coaching career at CSS. TA graduated from St. Scholastica Summa cum Laude in 1992, earning academic All-America honors his senior season.  He scored the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning of St. Scholastica’s 9-8 victory over WinonaState in the 1992 NAIA playoffs. After completing his playing career under Coach Baggs in ’92, Anderson joined his coaching staff as a graduate assistant coach the following season.  He became Baggs’ top assistant in ’94 and quickly became one of the region’s most respected baseball coaches. Anderson’s duties include hitting instruction, video tape analysis, outfield play, offensive approach and recruiting. Baggs on Anderson: “TA has been with me since my first day on campus, first as a player and then as an assistant coach.  He knew what I wanted to accomplish here from the beginning, and there is no way we could have been this successful without him.  He is the best assistant coach I’ve ever worked with, we have a successful system and a great friendship.” Coach Anderson is described by his players as a “highly knowledgeable hands-on coach.” “While helping this program grow to such a successful level has been satisfying for me, our program is much more than just winning,” Anderson said. “Teaching our players how to be successful and responsible on and off the field and watching them grow into quality individuals we can be proud of is the best part.  I consider all of the players and alumni to be friends, and I’m proud to be affiliated with them and the baseball program at Scholastica.”

Corey Kemp, 27, begins his sixth year as an assistant coach at St. Scholastica. “CK” began his outstanding pitching career at CherryHigh School where he led his team to the Class A State Championship in 1997.  He completed his high school pitching career with a 21-4 record over three seasons of varsity baseball, including a 10-0 mark his senior year. This winning tradition continued with the Saints as Kemp became one of the greatest and most dedicated players in CSS baseball history. In the UMAC Tournament his junior season, CK surpassed Ben Sickler (20 wins) to become the Saints all-time winningest pitcher and finished his career with 29 wins, still tops in Saints history.  Kemp is also the career leader in virtually every pitching category, including innings pitched (233), strikeouts (258) and appearances (51).  His 2.28 career ERA was also the program’s best upon CK’s graduation in 2001. Kemp’s abilities didn’t go unnoticed, as he was named UMAC Pitcher of the Year in 2000 and an All-American following his senior season. In his five seasons as an assistant coach CK has helped develop one of the top pitching staffs in all of Division III baseball, as the Saints led the country in ERA in both 2005 and 2006.

Justin Harriman, a 29-year-old International Falls, Minnesota native is in his second year as an assistant at St. Scholastica.  Justin, a former power-hitting catcher for the Saints, was the first player in the program’s history to be selected as a first-team All-American following his senior season in 2000. Justin ranks in the top five in six different all-time offensive statistical categories at St. Scholastica.  His 178 career RBI and 56 doubles are still the program’s most in each respective category.  Justin’s 243 hits is second all-time and his 23 homeruns are third.  He also holds the team’s record for longest hitting streak, recording a hit in 42 consecutive contests through his junior and senior seasons. Just as notable as his offensive prowess, Justin is also regarded as the program’s top defensive catcher. Following his graduation in 2000 and several years away from Duluth, Justin returned to the coaching staff in 2006.  His primary duties include working with both catchers and hitters.

Joe Wicklund, in his first season as an assistant with the Saints, is a former team captain who led St. Scholastica to the NAIA Regional Championship in 2000.  The 28-year-old Solon Springs, Wisconsin native started the opening game of the 2000 Super Regional and helped the Saints to the win with his strong pitching effort. While in a Saints uniform as a player, “Wick” was a great leader and exemplified all the quality characteristics of a great captain.  He was a two-time captain and three-time Academic All-American. Wick’s responsibilities as a coach include working with the Saints pitching staff and coordinating the program’s recruiting.  His leadership, attitude and love for the Saints baseball program, along with his job as a St. Scholastica Admissions Counselor, make him a valuable asset to the program as a recruiter.

Tom Berrisford is in his first season as an assistant coach for the Saints.  A 1998 Duluth East graduate, “TB” led the Greyhounds to the state tournament his senior year.  He was selected to the St. Paul Pioneer Press All-State Team and was also chosen as the Duluth News Tribune Player of the Year. While starting at third base his freshman season, TB helped the Saints advance to the Midwest Regional of the Division III National Tournament.  He earned the team’s Rookie of the Year honors following the conclusion of the 1999 season. TB was a captain for the Saints during his senior season of 2002.  He helped lead the Saints to a then-record 145 wins during his four years at St. Scholastica and was named Academic All-American twice. Tom’s coaching responsibilities for the 2007 Saints will include coaching first base, working with the Saints infielders and defensive position during games.