Eddy Morgan appointed as Baseball head coach

MEQUON – Concordia University Wisconsin Director of Athletics Dr. Rob Barnhill announced Wednesday afternoon the hiring of Eddy Morgan as the head coach of the Baseball program.

Morgan comes to CUW after spending the last seven seasons at UW-Superior. While at UW-Superior, Morgan inherited a team that finished 3-35 prior to his arrival in the 2007 season. He quickly turned the Yellowjackets into a program that became respected across the Midwest, including leading them to 10 conference wins in 2010, the most UW-Superior had in nearly 40 years.

"I am very excited for the opportunity to be the full-time head baseball coach at CUW," said Morgan. "CUW is committed to seeing success in both the classroom and athletics, and is an institution that strives for excellent, which is something I am excited to be a part of. Val Keiper did a tremendous job building this program and I look forward to leading it into national contention."

During his seven seasons with the Yellowjackets Morgan won 105 games, the most in program history. UW-Superior gained 18 wins in the 2010 season, the most during his tenure. Those 18 wins came against a competitive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schedule, featuring several of the tops teams in the nation.

"I am genuinely excited about the future of the CUW baseball program," said Barnhill. "The hiring of Eddy Morgan to be our full-time head coach is another positive step in the continual investment into Falcon baseball. When we met, it became immediately apparent that Eddy not only understands the mission and culture of CUW, but had a special affinity for the opportunity to build a champion in this environment. I have every confidence that Eddy is the right man at the right time to accept the challenges and embrace the lofty expectations that we have for our baseball program."

Morgan is also familiar with Kapco Park, the home of CUW Baseball, having spent the past two seasons with the Lakeshore Chinooks, a member of the Northwoods League. Last season he served as an assistant coach during the Chinooks inaugural year, before taking over as the field manager in 2013. The Chinooks went 35-35 in their first season.

"I am very humble to have the opportunity to coach at a facility like Kapco Park," Morgan said. "Kapco Park is, in my opinion, the best facility in Division III baseball and will aid in recruiting the quality student-athletes we are looking to bring in."

Prior to his time at UW-Superior, Morgan served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at The College of St. Scholastica. The Saints were one of the premier teams in the country during Morgan's nine years, finding themselves a regular in the national rankings.

In spending at UW-Superior at St. Scholastica, Morgan has seen some of the top programs in the country, coming from the always competitive WIAC and Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Morgan regularly took on national powerhouses in the University of St. Thomas, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater.

"The biggest difference between the upper-level teams was the student-athletes were bigger, stronger and faster," Morgan said. "Having coached in some of the better conferences in the country, I know what it takes to reach the level CUW is seeking."

Val Keiper, who stepped down Friday, May 31 after 30 seasons in leading the program, will remain on as an assistant coach under Morgan. In addition to Keiper, CUW has announced it will add a full-time assistant coach to the baseball program.

"Additionally, we have decided to add a full time assistant while retaining Dr. Keiper to add depth and experience to our coaching roster and widen our net in recruitment," Barnhill said. "These moves will provide us with the human resources that when combined with the excellence and grandeur of Kapco Park should produce positive results in the recruitment and retention of student athletes. If you are a high school or junior college student in the sport of baseball and you are in pursuit of a great Christian education, the opportunity to build a national power in one of the finest facilities in Division III then CUW must be on your list of choices."

Morgan graduated from St. Scholastica in 1996 with a Bachelor's Degree in behavioral arts and sciences. He also received his Master's Degree in management from CSS in 2012. Morgan and his wife, Jessica, have two children, Isaac and Piper.