Rafters officials announced today that a familiar face will return to Wisconsin Rapids to assist field manager Scott Laverty next season. John Hessel will man the first base coaching box, once again, while also guiding the team in conditioning drills and pre-game workouts at Witter Field. Coach Hessel has served as a baseball mentor at both the high school and collegiate levels throughout his career.
“I’m very excited to return to the Rafters again as a part of the coaching staff and to be associated with what I feel is the best baseball atmosphere in the league: The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters ownership, staff, community, and the loyal Rafters fans,” said Hessel.
Before joining the Rafters, Hessel previously served as the Director of Baseball Operations for the University of Nevada- Las Vegas (UNLV). As the Director of Baseball Operations for UNLV, Hessel was responsible for organizing a majority of the team’s functions. In addition, he also worked with UNLV’s pitchers and catchers, strength and conditioning, and assisted with many camps put on by the program. His exceptional leadership skills helped him to successfully plan team schedules, travel arrangements, and managing the program’s budget while at UNLV.
In addition to Hessel’s administrative experience, he has also displayed a great understanding of baseball on the diamond. Following his playing career at Western Oregon University, Hessel began coaching at the university. He is no stranger to summer collegiate baseball, now having spent a summer in the Northwoods League and also serving as an assistant coach for the Corvallis Knights of the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League in 2008, helping guide the team to a league championship that season.
For five years, Hessel also served as an assistant baseball coach at Sierra Vista High School while also serving as a health teacher, a position he still holds today. He was recognized for his dedication and excellence in the classroom when he was named Most Inspirational Teacher at Sierra Vista High School in 2004.
