Madonna University Men's Baseball

Education: Year W L Pct. 2025 28 24 .538 Totals 28 24 .538 Spring Arbor University - Master's Degree in Spedcial Education (2017) Aquinas College - Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics & Minor in Physical Education (2012) Experience: Madonna University, Head Coach (2024-Present) Oakland University, Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coordinator (2023-2024) Davenport University, Associate Head Coach (2019-2023) Lansing Community College, Head Coach (2016-19) Grand Ledge High School, Assistant Coach (2013-16) Coaching Highlights: Finished 81-29 as the head coach at Lansing Commuinity College Took LCC to the NJCCA DII World Series and placed third overall in 2017 In 2017, he was named MCCAA East Conference Coach of the Year and the Region XII Coach of the Year At LCC, he coached 22 All-Conference selections and two Player of the Years   Madonna University Director of Athletics Noel Emenhiser announced on Friday, June 21st, that Oakland University (Mich.) Baseball's top Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coordinator, Drew Huard, will be the new head coach for the Madonna University Baseball Program. Huard becomes the sixth head coach in the 35-year history of Crusaders Baseball.    "We are really excited to welcome Drew and his family to Madonna University and to the athletic community," Emenhsier stated. "We believe his mission and values are directly aligned with the University and the athletic department. Coach Huards's approach to leadership and relationships, which are at the core of the athletic experience, have really stood out through this entire process. I am really excited about the vision Drew has shared for the baseball program, Ilitch Ballpark, and our student athletes. I look forward to watching him grow on the history and tradition of Madonna Baseball." "I am thrilled with the news, and my family in general, is thrilled to join the Madonna community," Huard said. "It is going to take a village, in order to get this program where it needs to be, and myself and my family are willing to put in the work. Madonna is a special place, when I heard this position opened up, I wanted to put myself in the best situation in order to be named the next head coach." Huard, a Michigan native from Grand Ledge, spent the 2024 season with the Golden Grizzlies of Oakland University. Huard coached third base on game days and was the hitting coach / run game coordinator. Defensively, he coached the outfielders and was responsible for preparing scouting reports that included both offensive and defensive strategies for their upcoming opponents. On top of all of that, Huard was also at the helm of the Golden Grizzlies' recruiting efforts.  In 2024, Huard helped the Golden Grizzlies break multiple school records. Oakland won 31 games this past season, which tied the record for most wins in a single-season. The 2024 team, matched the 2022 team for most wins by the team in a season at the Division I level and only the seventh time in program history a team has won 30-plus games. The Golden Grizzlies also broke the single-season record for the following categories: most hits (590), most triples (24), most runs scored (475), most RBIs (427), most base on balls (334), and most stolen bases (159).  Before Huard went to Oakland, he spent five years at the NCAA Division II level with Davenport University (Mich.) in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Huard's first two seasons he spent as an Assistant Coach (2019-2021) before being elevated to the Associate Head Coach his final three seasons there (2021-23). During his time with the Panthers, they went 141-85 overall and had a conference record of 73-36. Huard helped the Panthers to back-to-back GLIAC regular season and tournament titles in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.  Huard was tasked with the responsibility of being Davenport's Recruiting Coordinator. Huard brought in 43 student athletes over five seasons. From 2019 to 2023 he helped develop 35 All-Conference selections including the Player of the Year in 2019 and 2022.   Prior to his move to the GLIAC, Huard was the head coach at Lansing Community College (Mich.) for two years. Huard in his first season, led the Stars to their second winning season ever, won them their first ever conference championship and first ever postseason appearance. During their postseason run in 2017, Huard and the Stars won the Midwest National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Regional, advanced to the NJCAA DII World Series and finished third overall. Huard was named MCCAA East Conference Coach of the Year and the Region XII Coach of the Year in 2017 as well. Huard spent two seasons at the helm overall with the Stars and finished with an 81-29 overall record and had 22 All-Conference selections, including the Player of the Year each season.  Before Huard got into the coaching game, he played collegiate baseball against Madonna as he was a four-year starter and a two-year captain for the Aquinas College Saints from 2007-12. In high school, he was a three-year starter at Grand Ledge High School under the all-time winningest baseball coach in MHSAA history, Pat O'Keefe. He was an all-conference player for three seasons and was named to the Lansing State Journal's Dream Team as a senior.   The Crusaders finished the 2024 season going 26-27 overall and made it to the WHAC Championship series for the third straight season. When Huard was asked about his expectations for the 2025 season this is what the new head coach had to say, "The expectation is to continue the sustained success from the previous coaches before me. We intend to contend for WHAC titles, as well as have success in the postseason by winning a regional title and eventually get to Lewiston and be in the NAIA World Series." 

Haeger enters his 21st year as Crusader head coach amidst a string of accomplishments that have undoubtedly been a direct reflection of his coaching style. The Livonia native most recently earned his 650th career victory on Oct. 8, 2016, defeating Aquinas (Mich.) by a 9-5 margin. Haeger and the Crusaders won four straight Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) championships from 2008-11 during an overall stretch that saw the Blue and Gold take home six of seven league crowns. In all, Haegers teams have won 11 WHAC championships and five league tournament titles while earning trips to the NAIA National Championship Tournament on five occasions (2009, 2010, 2013, 2015 and 2016). The 2016 Crusaders ended the season with an overall record of 41-17 and a WHAC regular season mark of 24-4. The impressive campaign, which included a program-best 23-game winning streak, lifted the Crusaders to a No. 2 seed in the NAIAs Opening Round Santa Barbara Bracket. For their efforts, the Crusaders took home several on-field honors, including Johno Rodriguezs NAIA All-America selection. Trumping all on-field accolades, MU was able to earn their way to the most NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athletes in the nation in 2016 after posting a Madonna-best GPA for all mens sports. The 2015 Crusaders ended the season with a 37-17 overall mark and a record of 26-6 in WHAC play. The successful campaign was a result of great balance as the Crusaders had five batters with averages north of .300 while pitchers Evan Piechota and Adam Prashad carried the rotation on their way to WHAC All-Conference nods. Outfielder Taylor Grzelakowski took home a Gold Glove award and WHAC All-Conference first team nomination. More important to Haeger, the 2011 and 2015 squads took home the Blue and Gold Award for Male Scholar Team, while the 2011 team earned NAIA Scholar Team honors after posting a 3.01 grade point average for the 2010-11 school year showing the teams dedication both on the field and in the classroom. The successes of 2011 came on the heels of the most successful season in Madonna University history as the Crusaders set the program record for wins in 2010 with 48 against just 11 losses before advancing to the NAIA National Tournament for the second straight season and ending the year ranked at No. 10 in the NAIA Coaches Poll - the highest finish ever for a Madonna baseball team. Haeger - the  longest tenured coach in the WHAC - has coached four conference Players of the Year in Jeff Bultinck (2011), Kevin Zerbo (2008), Ben Ramsey (2006) and Joe Greene (2005);  along with a like number of Conference Pitchers of the Year in Jeremy Gooding - twice (2011, 13), Jeff Sonnenberg (2009), Will Kennedy (2008) and Derek Dufrane (2005); and has had six players in the last several years (Ramsey first team in 2006, Dufrane second team in 2005 and John McCracken honorable mention in 2008) earn NAIA All-America honors with Bultinck and Gooding being selected to the 2011 first team. Johno Rodriguez earned second team honors in 2016. Haeger has been honored as the WHAC Coach of the Year eight times (2005, 06, 08, 09, 10, 11, 13, 16), NAIA Region Coach of the Year three times (2005, 06, 08) and NAIA Great Lakes Section Coach of the Year once (1998). The longtime head coach is the architect behind one of the nations top pitching staffs as the Crusader arms carried the team to nine straight 30-win seasons from 2004-12 and a like number of post season appearances. On the field, Haeger places a strong emphasis on teaching the game of baseball. Whether working as a team or through individual instruction, he has constantly worked to improve fundamentals. In addition, he preaches an aggressive style of play, as the Crusaders stolen base numbers demonstrate. His work with the Madonna pitching staff is undeniably a major reason for the teams success since he came on board. Since taking over for Mike George on June 24, 1996, after a pair of seasons as Georges pitching coach, Haeger has led the Crusaders to a 646-410-5 overall record (entering the 2016-17 campaign). After an outstanding high school career at Detroit Catholic Central, Haeger was named Michigan Amateur Player of the Year, and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers following his senior season in 1987. Haeger put his professional dreams on hold to accept a baseball scholarship and pursue his education at the University of Michigan. Haeger enjoyed a tremendous career at Michigan, earning All-Big Ten Conference honors in both 1988 and 1989. He led the Wolverines with eight game winning RBIs as a sophomore when he batted .292 with five home runs. He tied for third on the team with 38 RBIs as a sophomore. A career .290 hitter, Haeger spent the majority of his time as a first baseman for the Maize and Blue. In 1990, Haeger was again drafted by the Tigers and opted to turn pro following his junior season. While with the Tigers, Haeger moved up through the farm system, earning All-Star honors in 1991 and playing on the Florida State League Champion Lakeland Tigers in 1992. Unfortunately, a knee injury ended his professional career. Following the injury, Haeger returned to Michigan to continue his education in 1994. He later joined the Madonna staff as an assistant. His impact on the pitching staff was immediately noticeable as the teams ERA finished in the top 15 of the NAIA in two of his three seasons as pitching coach. In addition, he was part of Madonnas first sectional championship team in 1995. In addition to his duties in the dugout, Haeger is responsible for maintenance and upkeep of Ilitch Ballpark as well as University Field and assists the Athletic Department with game management duties at MU sporting events. Off the field, Haeger and his wife Jean reside in New Hudson with their sons Gregory III [Trey] and Evan.   Two decades into his NAIA coaching career, Madonna University head coach Greg Haeger continues to define Crusader Baseball. His brilliant mind for the game and focus on the development of student-athletes continues to establish Madonna University as one of the most elite collegiate baseball programs in the country and one that consistently vies for conference and national titles each year. Haeger enters his 21 year as Crusader head coach amidst a string of accomplishments that have undoubtedly been a direct reflection of his coaching style. The Livonia native most recently earned his 650th career victory on Oct. 8, 2016, defeating Aquinas (Mich.) by a 9-5 margin. Haeger and the Crusaders won four straight Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) championships from 2008-11 during an overall stretch that saw the Blue and Gold take home six of seven league crowns. In all, Haegers teams have won 11 WHAC championships and five league tournament titles while earning trips to the NAIA National Championship Tournament on five occasions (2009, 2010, 2013, 2015 and 2016). The 2016 Crusaders ended the season with an overall record of 41-17 and a WHAC regular season mark of 24-4. The impressive campaign, which included a program-best 23-game winning streak, lifted the Crusaders to a No. 2 seed in the NAIAs Opening Round Santa Barbara Bracket. For their efforts, the Crusaders took home several on-field honors, including Johno Rodriguezs NAIA All-America selection. Trumping all on-field accolades, MU was able to earn their way to the most NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athletes in the nation in 2016 after posting a Madonna-best GPA for all mens sports. The 2015 Crusaders ended the season with a 37-17 overall mark and a record of 26-6 in WHAC play. The successful campaign was a result of great balance as the Crusaders had five batters with averages north of .300 while pitchers Evan Piechota and Adam Prashad carried the rotation on their way to WHAC All-Conference nods. Outfielder Taylor Grzelakowski took home a Gold Glove award and WHAC All-Conference first team nomination. More important to Haeger, the 2011 and 2015 squads took home the Blue and Gold Award for Male Scholar Team, while the 2011 team earned NAIA Scholar Team honors after posting a 3.01 grade point average for the 2010-11 school year showing the teams dedication both on the field and in the classroom. The successes of 2011 came on the heels of the most successful season in Madonna University history as the Crusaders set the program record for wins in 2010 with 48 against just 11 losses before advancing to the NAIA National Tournament for the second straight season and ending the year ranked at No. 10 in the NAIA Coaches Poll - the highest finish ever for a Madonna baseball team. Haeger - the  longest tenured coach in the WHAC - has coached four conference Players of the Year in Jeff Bultinck (2011), Kevin Zerbo (2008), Ben Ramsey (2006) and Joe Greene (2005);  along with a like number of Conference Pitchers of the Year in Jeremy Gooding - twice (2011, 13), Jeff Sonnenberg (2009), Will Kennedy (2008) and Derek Dufrane (2005); and has had six players in the last several years (Ramsey first team in 2006, Dufrane second team in 2005 and John McCracken honorable mention in 2008) earn NAIA All-America honors with Bultinck and Gooding being selected to the 2011 first team. Johno Rodriguez earned second team honors in 2016. Haeger has been honored as the WHAC Coach of the Year eight times (2005, 06, 08, 09, 10, 11, 13, 16), NAIA Region Coach of the Year three times (2005, 06, 08) and NAIA Great Lakes Section Coach of the Year once (1998). The longtime head coach is the architect behind one of the nations top pitching staffs as the Crusader arms carried the team to nine straight 30-win seasons from 2004-12 and a like number of post season appearances. On the field, Haeger places a strong emphasis on teaching the game of baseball. Whether working as a team or through individual instruction, he has constantly worked to improve fundamentals. In addition, he preaches an aggressive style of play, as the Crusaders stolen base numbers demonstrate. His work with the Madonna pitching staff is undeniably a major reason for the teams success since he came on board. Since taking over for Mike George on June 24, 1996, after a pair of seasons as Georges pitching coach, Haeger has led the Crusaders to a 646-410-5 overall record (entering the 2016-17 campaign). After an outstanding high school career at Detroit Catholic Central, Haeger was named Michigan Amateur Player of the Year, and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers following his senior season in 1987. Haeger put his professional dreams on hold to accept a baseball scholarship and pursue his education at the University of Michigan. Haeger enjoyed a tremendous career at Michigan, earning All-Big Ten Conference honors in both 1988 and 1989. He led the Wolverines with eight game winning RBIs as a sophomore when he batted .292 with five home runs. He tied for third on the team with 38 RBIs as a sophomore. A career .290 hitter, Haeger spent the majority of his time as a first baseman for the Maize and Blue. In 1990, Haeger was again drafted by the Tigers and opted to turn pro following his junior season. While with the Tigers, Haeger moved up through the farm system, earning All-Star honors in 1991 and playing on the Florida State League Champion Lakeland Tigers in 1992. Unfortunately, a knee injury ended his professional career. Following the injury, Haeger returned to Michigan to continue his education in 1994. He later joined the Madonna staff as an assistant. His impact on the pitching staff was immediately noticeable as the teams ERA finished in the top 15 of the NAIA in two of his three seasons as pitching coach. In addition, he was part of Madonnas first sectional championship team in 1995. In addition to his duties in the dugout, Haeger is responsible for maintenance and upkeep of Ilitch Ballpark as well as University Field and assists the Athletic Department with game management duties at MU sporting events. Off the field, Haeger and his wife Jean reside in New Hudson with their sons Gregory III [Trey] and Evan.  

Former Crusader pitcher Blake Garrison has joined the Madonna baseball coaching staff for the 2024 season. Prior to returning to Madonna, Garrison previously coached at Mott Community College. He helped the Bears go 20-22 overall and 13-12 in conference play. Two pitchers were named Second Team All-Conference under Garrison, while two more earned Honorable Mention.  Playing for the Crusaders from 2020-22, Garrison appeared in 22 games. He recorded one save during the 2021 season when Madonna went 19-15, before posting a 3-1 record in 31.1 innings pitched in 2022. Garrison helped the team to a 28-15 overall record and 15-7 mark in the WHAC, while also being a member of an NAIA National Tournament qualifying team. The Fenton, Mich. native played at Mott prior to attending Madonna. He made 21 appearances in two years with the Bears, recording 62 strikeouts in 69.0 innings.