MANKATO, MN— The 2016 Mankato MoonDogs’ coaching staff has been finalized. The MoonDogs are excited to announce the additions of Nick Weinmeister, Northland College, Robert Vavaro, Iowa Lakes Community College, and Matt Wollenzin, University of Evansville to the 2016 coaching staff.
Matt Wollenzin is returning to Mankato for his third summer with the team. He was previously on the 2015 MoonDogs’ coaching staff having also played for the MoonDogs in 2013 when he was invited to the Northwood’s League All-Star Game. He is currently an Assistant Coach for the University of Evansville Purple Aces where he works with catchers, hitters and is the first base coach. Previous to the 2016 season, Wollenzin was a Graduate Assistant at Austin Peay University, where he also played his collegiate career at from 2010-2014. At Austin Peay, Wollenzin was a catcher while also seeing time at DH and first base. During his time at Austin Peay, the Governors won three Ohio Valley Conference Championships, attended three NCAA Regionals and two Regional Championships as well.
Wollenzin is a native of Lakewood, CO and graduated from Green Mountain High School. He attended college at Austin Peay University and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelors in Healthcare Management and a Masters in Healthcare Administration in 2015.
Robert Vavaro currently is in charge of hitters, catchers, defensive alignments and the 3rd Base Coach at Iowa Lakes Community College. Under Coach Vavaro, the Iowa Lakes Lakers posted a team record throwing out rate of 50%. A native of Lynbrook, New York, Vavaro played both football and baseball while in high school. After high school, Vavaro attended Wesley College, where he helped the baseball team capture the 2010 ECAC South Region Championship.
Nick Weinmeister is currently coaching baseball and golf for Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. Before coaching at Northland College, Weinmeister was the Head Baseball Coach for Janesville High School in Janesville, Iowa, where Weinmeister also graduated from. During the three seasons that Weinmeister was Head Coach at Janesville, the Wildcats captured back to back Iowa Star North Conference Championships in 2012 and 2013 and increased the team win percentage each of those three seasons.
Weinmeister earned his bachelor's degree in Communications with an emphasis on Public Relations with a minor in Marketing from the University of Northern Iowa in 2011. Weinmeister then earned his Master's Degree in Physical Education: Coaching of Sport from Southwest Minnesota State University in 2015.
The MoonDogs’ home opener is scheduled for Friday, June 3rd at 7:05 p.m. against the Rochester Honkers at Franklin Rogers Park. Season and single game tickets are now on sale, call 507-625-7047 or visit the MoonDogs’ office at 1221 Caledonia Street in Mankato for more information.
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The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 23-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 140 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable via the Northwoods League website. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com
The Mankato MoonDogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 23nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2016, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 140 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist (CHC). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website. For more information, visit www.mankatomoondogs.com