Pioneer Athletics Hire Billy Cork as Head Men's Baseball Coach

Pioneer Athletics is proud to announce the hiring of Billy Cork as the new Head Men's Baseball Coach. We are excited about this hire and looking forward to the creation of a new culture built to build a strong men's baseball program. We had the opportunity to speak with Billy Cork to ask him questions related to this upcoming season and beyond.

What type of program are you looking to build? 

I am looking to build a program using structure and discipline to create a fundamentally sound team.  Secondly, and of most importance is to develop quality young men that upon completion of playing competitive sports they can contribute value to their community.

What are the key pieces you are looking for in recruits as you build a program that has been gone for over ten years?

The first key piece in recruiting is looking for talent but most importantly we are looking for quality young men that are willing to work hard both on and off the playing field. Education for the student athlete is first and foremost.

Secondly, the goal is to stabilize the program by ensuring consistency overall, i.e. teaching and communication.

Who are your mentors are and what advice have they have given you as he prepares for this inaugural return and build for the future?

Coach John Gravlin and the late Wally Jakiemiec have been mentors in my life.

These coaches demonstrated daily that it is important to be organized, disciplined and always keep the lines of communication open with the players.  They showed me that as coaches we must always be fair and consistent.  The main advice given was "take one step at a time and teach slowly."