Southern Wesleyan University Men's Baseball

Matthew Robinson joined the Southern Wesleyan Athletics team in the summer of 2022. Robinson will join the Warriors from Emmanuel College where he served as the Head Assistant Baseball Coach.  He started coaching with the Lions of Emmanuel College in May of 2014.  While working with the Lions, he served as the recruiting coordinator, infield/outfield defensive coach and strength coach.  During the 2021 season, he guided the team to lead the conference in stolen bases and to a top four offense.  He had two players receive all conference selections.   Under his guidance during the 2019 season, the Lions were ranked in the top 25 in the Division II in recruiting class according to Perfect Game.  The team went on be second in hits and first in stolen bases (along with being ranked in top 10 in the nation), and fourth in doubles in Conference Carolinas as they went on to record the best record in Emmanuel Division II history.  The Lions recorded 115 stolen bases in the 2019 season allowed them to set a new school record for stolen bases.    In the 2018 season, the Lions were in the top three in every offensive category and had two players in the top five in batting average.  The Lions were named the NCCAA Region Champions in 2017 and went on to appear in the NCCAA World Series.   Prior to coaching at Emmanuel, Robinson played as an infielder and pitcher at Georgia College and State University.  While playing for the Bobcats, the team was ranked as the number one team in the nation.  He graduated from there with a degree in Exercise Science.  He went on to receive his Master’s degree in Strength and Conditioning from the University of Georgia.   “I am very excited to be the next head baseball coach at Southern Wesleyan University,” Robinson commented.  “I am thankful for the opportunity that Ms. Reininga and the staff at SWU have given me. I want to thank God, my family, former coaches and the people in my life that have helped me to get to this point. I want to build a winning culture on and off the field and I can’t wait to be a part of the family at SWU! Go Warriors!”   Matt Robinson is married to Alex Robinson and they have four children, Harper, Brooks, Oaklan and Rawlins Robinson.    

Southern Wesleyan Baseball and Head Coach Matt Robinson added Anthony Zurke to the Warriors’ coaching staff as their Pitching Coach in the Fall of 2024. “We are excited to add Anthony Zurke to our Coaching Staff,” commented Head Coach Matt Robinson.  “Anthony brings a wealth of knowledge and structure to our program.  He will begin to make an impact for our program on and off the field immediately.  His combination of old school and new school and the ability to prioritize relationships with our players and recruits will transition our program into a consistent competitor in one of the best D2 conferences in the nation.” Anthony Zurke will join the Warriors via Tusculum University where he worked with the baseball staff as a graduate assistant coach.  While serving the Pioneers, Zurke assisted in the development of the Tusculum pitching staff. Prior to working with Tusculum, Zurke worked as the pitching coach at Rochester University. While at the Rochester Hills, Michigan school, he assisted players with mechanical adjustments, pitching philosophy and mental approach to become complete pitchers. Zurke played his final two collegiate seasons at Grand Valley State University where he pitched out of the Lakers bullpen. GVSU went a combined 35-19 during his tenure there including 24-15 in his 2021 senior campaign where the Lakers advanced to the championship game of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament. He was also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee where he served on the executive board. He played his first two collegiate campaigns at Lansing Community College. In 2018, he made 13 relief appearances where he went 1-1 with a 4.82 ERA in his 28 innings of work while recording 25 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.61. The Michigan native earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley in 2021 where he majored in business administration. He went on to receive his graduate degree at Tusculum in sports administration. Zurke looks to join the Warriors over the summer in preparation for the 2024-25 school year.