Wilkes University Baseball: A Legacy of Local Talent and Landmark Aspirations

Wilkes University, a private institution in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, has a rich history dating back to its establishment as Bucknell University Junior College (BUJC) in 1933. Over the decades, Wilkes has evolved into a comprehensive university with a strong athletic program, including a baseball team that draws heavily from the local talent pool. This article delves into the history of Wilkes University, provides an overview of its baseball program, and highlights its recent successes and aspirations.

From Bucknell Junior College to Wilkes University

Founded in 1933 as Bucknell University Junior College, Wilkes University gained independence in 1947 and was renamed Wilkes College. The post-war era saw a surge in enrollment, particularly among Luzerne County residents supported by the G.I. Bill. This growth spurred the expansion of on-campus housing and academic programs.

Wilkes continued to evolve, establishing the School of Pharmacy in 1996 and the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business & Leadership in 2004. The university also invested in modern facilities, such as the Thomas P. Shelburne Jr. Telecommunications Center (1996) and the Clayton and Theresa Karambelas Media and Communication Center (2017).

The university temporarily suspended in-person instruction in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but has since reopened with safety protocols in place.

Campus and Facilities

Wilkes University's campus features a mix of historic mansions and modern academic buildings. Most academic buildings are located within the same city block, between South River Street, South Franklin Street, South Street, and Northampton Street. Breiseth Hall, houses classrooms and offices for humanities and social sciences.

In 2005, the university acquired the former Wilkes-Barre Call Center building and parking garage on South Main Street. The parking garage is used for student and faculty parking, while the Call Center building, renamed University Center on Main, houses recreation facilities, including tennis and basketball courts, and a rock climbing wall. It was renovated to also house the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership in summer 2014.

The campus offers seventeen different residence halls and apartment buildings for students. Many residence halls are located in 19th-century mansions that were donated to the university. Apartment-style residences are found in University Towers and Rifkin Hall, while traditional dormitory housing is provided at Evans Residence Hall.

The Darte Center is the home of performing arts at Wilkes University. Built in 1965 to replace the Chase Theater, it includes the Darling Theater, a black box theater, and a two-story music building. The Eugene Shedden Farley Library, dedicated in 1968, houses special collection rooms.

Academics and Programs

Wilkes University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across its various colleges and schools. The College of Arts and Sciences includes programs in the performing arts, humanities, behavioral and social sciences, environmental sciences, and natural sciences. The College of Business and Engineering offers programs accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET. The Nesbitt School of Pharmacy is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, and the Passan School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Wilkes University also hosts a federally funded Upward Bound program and offers various graduate programs, including online options for the Graduate Teacher Education Program.

Read also: Preserve Your Wilkes Diploma

Student Life and Activities

Wilkes University has numerous student-run clubs and organizations that are recognized and funded by the student government. Clubs associated with academics and majors represent psychology, sociology, criminology, and pre-pharmacy. Wilkes has an active student media, including a television station, FM radio station WCLH, weekly newspaper The Beacon, a literary magazine Manuscript, and yearbook Amnicola.

The Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Student Center (HSC) is the student center on campus. The HSC was originally built in 1999, and has continued to serve the students through the present day. The building is home to most of the student organizations on campus, as well as the dining facilities that are run by Sodexo Incorporated and a campus bookstore run by Barnes and Noble. All recognized student organizations can reserve space, or at least a meeting area to conduct business. The student-run journalism yearbook Amnicola and newspaper The Beacon, have both business office and production space in the first floor. The second floor holds the university Edward Elgonitis Sr. Large meeting space that can be reserved by the Wilkes community are the Savitz Multicultural Room that includes a student painted multicultural mural that was led by long time art faculty member Sharon Cosgrove, Miller Meeting Room and the Paul S.

There is currently one Aramark operated full-scale buffet-style dining facility on the Wilkes campus located within the Henry Student Center on the second floor. A location designated as the Rifkin Cafe includes a convenience store and sandwich shop (where convenience store-like food and beverages are sold) is located on the first floor of the Henry Student Center.

Detachment 752 of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps is located at Wilkes University.

Wilkes University Athletics

The Wilkes University Colonels compete in NCAA Division III athletics and are members of the Landmark Conference. Wilkes offers numerous intercollegiate sports team organizations at the university. Wilkes men's intercollegiate sports teams include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis and wrestling.

Read also: Your Potential at Wilkes

The Wilkes University football team was the MAC champion for the 2006 season, and previously, the football team had been conference champion in 1993 and 1974. In the mid-1960s the Wilkes College football program had 32 straight wins-the fourth-longest streak in college football history at the time. The Wilkes wrestling team has won a total of 14 Middle Atlantic Conference team championships. In 1974, the team won the NCAA Div. III national championship, afterward, the Colonels moved to the NCAA Div. I ranks for 25 seasons before returning to Div.

Baseball Program Overview

The Wilkes University baseball team has been making strides in recent years, fueled by local talent and strategic coaching. The team's success is deeply intertwined with its ability to recruit and develop players from the baseball-rich high schools within the 570 area code.

Recent Successes and Aspirations

In a recent season, the Colonels have shown significant improvement, challenging for the top spot in the Landmark Conference and aiming for their first NCAA tournament appearance in years. Their pitching staff ranked among the best in the conference, boasting a low ERA and limiting opponents' batting averages.

Second-year coach Mike Guy has emphasized a multifaceted offensive approach that prioritizes getting on base, stealing bases, and situational hitting, alongside traditional hitting prowess. This strategy, combined with a roster dominated by local players, has contributed to the team's success.

The team is on the verge of setting a season-high for most wins in a year, surpassing the previous record set in 2009. With a blend of experienced returners and promising newcomers, the Colonels have their sights set on making a deep run in the NCAA tournament.

Key Players and Coaching Staff

The Colonels' roster features a mix of seasoned veterans and talented underclassmen. Pitcher/infielder Mike Show and catcher Jeremiah Atwell provide leadership as graduate students. The senior core includes key contributors like first baseman Devin Markert, outfielders Jacob Cambria and Evan Melberger, catcher Gavin Lacoe, and pitchers Daniel Storm, Hunter Lawall, and Ethan Jezewski.

Infielders Jack Mathis and Nathan Loch lead the returning junior class, while the sophomore class boasts the reigning Landmark Pitcher of the Year, AJ Levandoski. The first-year core includes pitchers Jimmy Westers, Liam Huffman, and Tyler Ansell, as well as field players like catcher Jake Aftewicz and outfielders Kellan Clark and Jake Miller.

The baseball coaching staff at Wilkes University includes Assistant Coach Kevin Johnson, Assistant Coach Kyle Ofier, Assistant Coach Mark Modrovsky, Head Coach Mike Guy, Assistant Coach Paul Zaffutto, Assistant Coach Rob Lemoncelli, Pitching Coach Trevor Tellip.

Recruiting and Program Information

For prospective student-athletes interested in joining the Wilkes University baseball program, it is crucial to connect with the coaching staff and build a strong recruiting profile. NCSA (Next College Student Athlete) provides resources and tools to help athletes enhance their chances of being recruited.

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