Greg Wathen, Head Baseball Coach

The 2008 season will be Coach Wathen’s fifteenth as the Head Baseball Coach at John Wood Community College. He currently has the longest tenure of any coach in the school’s athletic history.  He also has the second longest tenure of any coach in Region 24 (Division II), behind Randy Martz of Lewis and Clark. Through his first 14 seasons, Wathen has established a competitive and respected program at JWCC. His teams are admired for the way in which they play the game and the respect they demonstrate for the game and for opponents. He has also developed a reputation for teaching and developing players in the fundamentals of the game, as well as the mental aspects of the game. These characteristics have made his players attractive to college recruiters from 4-year institutions. His emphasis on academics is also well known, as the demands he makes of his players in the classroom are as great as those he makes of them on the field.

Wathen is a 1989 graduate of Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. During his time at Wheaton, he was a member of the school’s baseball team as both a player and assistant coach. In 1995, he received a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Missouri at Columbia, MO.

Before coming to JWCC, Wathen was the Head Baseball Coach at Hannibal-LaGrange College in Hannibal, MO. In just 2 seasons there, he built a highly competitive program while finishing fourth at the NCCAA World Series in 1992. He began his coaching career at Wheaton Christian High School in West Chicago, IL. While at Wheaton Christian, he served as a varsity head coach in baseball, basketball and tennis.

In addition to his baseball duties at JWCC, Coach Wathen serves as a part-time instructor, teaching classes in P.E., coaching, and advanced physical training. He also holds the position as the school’s Intramural Director. His wife Janelle is also a University of Missouri graduate and is an occupational therapist working in the Quincy Public Schools. The couple has 2 children. Their son Joshua will turn 11 in June and is in the fifth grade at Baldwin School. Daughter Olivia was added to the line-up in November of 2000 and is currently in her second “season” at Monroe School.

Matt Stembridge, Baseball Pitching Coach

Coach Stembridge is currently in his first year as the pitching coach for the Blazers. He also serves as the team’s strength and conditioning coordinator.   He first came to JWCC as a player - he was a catcher for the Blazers, with his career extending over three seasons (2002-2005). Matt graduated in 2007 from Capital University with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Sports Administration from William Woods University. Along with his responsibilities with the baseball team, Matt teaches several classes  at JWCC and works with Student Life and Activities. Matt is certified as a Sports Performance Coach USAW, as well as a Certified Personal Trainer through AFAA.

John Schild, Assistant Baseball Coach

Coach Schild enters his third season as assistant coach for the Blazers.  He played for the Blazers in 2001 and 2002 and was an integral part of the 2002 club which made the incredible run through the Region 24 Tournament before settling for 3rd Place.  It was John’s sizzling bat that carried John Wood through the tournament and “Ron-Jon” (as he was known by his teammates) was rewarded with an All-Tournament selection.  John batted .353 for his career and his 105 career hits place him 7th on the JWCC All-Time Hits List. 

John graduated in 2005 from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor’s degree in Geography.  He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Quincy University.  In the off-season, John is an IHSA basketball referee.

Ron Fritts, Assistant Pitching Coach

Ron returned for his nineth season as a member of the Blazers coaching staff, in 2007 he assumed full-time duties of pitching coach.  Ron has served in some capacity with the Blazers since the 2000 season.  Ron is a graduate of Anderson College (Anderson, IN), where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Religion.

He and his wife, Cindy, have resided in Quincy for 16 years.  His son Nathan played first base and outfield for the Blazers in 1998 and 1999.  Upon completion of his sophomore year, he held the club single season record for RBI (since eclipsed.)  Nathan currently serves as the JWCC Baseball Alumni director.   Ron is a part-time minister for Unity Church of Quincy.