Coach Strelow has built his baseball program around more than just winning. Through years of coaching experience, he has focused on effort, attitude, and steady improvement. He believes this philosophy helps players succeed both on the field and in life.
Strelow said his desire to coach began after his own playing career ended. He mentioned that he always pictured staying involved in baseball because he enjoyed the sport and believed he could help young athletes develop.
“When I was done playing baseball, I always foresaw myself as wanting to coach. I thought that I could connect with young people. I felt that, you know, I was confident in teaching the game. I enjoy being around the game and helping young people get better,” Strelow said.
As head coach, Strelow said he makes it a priority that his players represent their school and community with respect. He believes the way athletes carry themselves matters just as much as their performance during games.
“We always emphasize to our players that they have a good attitude and that they bring effort to practice, to games, and that they represent the community and our school with pride and respect,” Strelow said.
One of the key messages Strelow shares with his team is a motto he has followed since taking over the program.
“Our kind of motto is, you know, ‘commit, overcome, grow.’ We’ve used that since I took over, just as a model for ourselves to kind of live by, obviously with baseball, but also beyond baseball too. We want our players to be able to commit to the season and all the hard work that comes along with that,” Strelow said.
Strelow has also left a very important impact on his players, building them up and giving them the support they need, as player Chance Sanders said.
“He treats every player like they matter, just being there, being supportive, and pushing you further than you think you can go,” Sanders said.
According to Strelow, the lessons learned through baseball carry over into everyday life. He believes that effort and character take players further than the game alone.
“Baseball is hard; life is even harder. And if you can have a good attitude; and you can show effort; and you can be present; and you can be engaged; and you can just generally be a good person, then, you know, good things will happen to you,” Strelow said.
