Hastings Athletics
Adam Maser
HASTINGS – Hastings College Athletic Director B.J. Pumroy has announced that Joel Schipper (Skipper) will be the new Head Baseball Coach at Hastings College. Schipper comes to us from Davenport University where he served as an assistant coach for the Panther program which was one game away from making the NCAA Division II World Series this past season.
“Joel Schipper has been a winner with every team he has been associated with,” said B.J. Pumroy, Director of Athletics. “Beyond winning on the field he recognizes that a winning attitude extends beyond athletics. His energy, recruiting connections, understanding of the game of baseball and burning desire to compete were well recognized during the search process. His success as a collegiate and high school student athlete also brings traits that will help him guide the way for our team.”
During his only season at Davenport, the Panthers won its first ever outright conference regular season championship, first ever conference tournament championship, first ever regional tournament berth and were one game shy of going to the NCAA DII World Series.
“I was thrilled and honored when BJ called and offered me the head coaching position. During the interview process, I was energized by my interactions with the baseball team and with the outstanding people at Hastings College,” Schipper continued. “I was impressed by the facilities and I fell in love with the town of Hastings. I believe we are going to do some great things together and bring the Hastings baseball program to the next level.”
Schipper coached the 18U Diamonds Sports Academy team from 2015-2021. Many of the players went on to play college baseball. The 2017 team won the Connie Mack regional for the first time in program history. In addition, they qualified for and played in the Connie Mack World Series in New Mexico.
“As the next head baseball coach at Hastings College, I look forward to building a winning culture – on the field, in the classroom, and in the community,” Schipper said.
Schipper was a standout two-sport athlete at Grand Valley State in both football and baseball. As a baseball player at GVSU, he garnered three letters. He twice earned GLIAC All-Academic honors. He was an integral part of the teams that won three consecutive GLIAC championships and competed in three NCAA Division II Regionals. In his junior season, he was the fourth leading hitter with a batting average of .327.
As a four-year starting place kicker on the Grand Valley State University football team, Schipper was a four-year letter winner and a first team all-conference selection in his senior year. Joel had 54 consecutive starts at GVSU. His teams had two national semi-final appearances, one Elite 8 appearance and one perfect regular season. Joel is the second all-time leading scorer in GVSU football history.
As a high school student athlete in Michigan he was named All-State in baseball, football and soccer. In his senior season he kicked the game tying and game winning field goal in overtime to push his Grand Rapids Christian team to the state title. He holds the Michigan High School record for consecutive made PAT’s with 145 and was 172 of 173 for his career.
Schipper’s official first day will be Aug. 6.