Where are they now?

 

John Roberts.

 

Prior to joining the Woodchucks roster in 2012, John Roberts was part of 2 legion state championship teams and was voted AAA Legion Pitcher of the Year.

 

John went to play baseball at Iowa Western Community College for the 2011-2012 season and his team won the JUCO World Series. He threw 16.1 innings in 11 appearances and had 16 strikeouts. He took his success with him to the Woodchucks making it to the NWL Playoffs with a 2.79 ERA and .333 batting average.

 

After John’s first season with the Woodchucks he transferred to Wayne State College and had 13 appearances, 9 starts and a 4.1 ERA. He said that the Woodchucks coaches “did a great job of giving him helpful pointers on things he could take back to college and use.” John ranked second on the team with strikeouts and had 55 in 48 innings. He was charged with 56 hits and 27 runs. Additionally, he was named NSIC Pitcher of The Week after striking out 10 batters in 6 innings against Upper Iowa University.

 

John returned to the Wisconsin Woodchucks and had a 1.08 ERA during the 2014 season with six strikeouts in 8.1 innings pitched.

 

 

Later, John completed his education and received his undergraduate degree in Physical Education and coaching at Wayne State College in Nebraska where he was also a volunteer assistant coach for the baseball team. He then returned to Wausau to start his career as a 6th-12th grade PE teacher at Newman Catholic Middle and High School where he will also be the head baseball coach.

 

John said “playing for the Woodchucks was a dream come true. The Northwoods League was a great chance to play against some of the top college players in the country. The Northwoods schedule is also set up to make you a better ball player being that there is a game almost everyday and many opportunities to get in the game. I enjoyed everything about being a Woodchuck from the coaches, players, fans, and Woodchucks staff.”

 

We are excited to watch John in his coaching career this summer.