Joining the new members of the baseball team are seven transfers. Heading the list are two sophomores who have made the Blue Chip Top 50 players, Steve Hardman and Brett Allen.
Hardman, who graduated from Discoll Catholic High School in 1996, went to Loras College, Northeastern Illinois University and University of Illinois at Chicago prior to becoming an Apache.
"To start a tradition and be able to go on to a Division I school," said Hardman, explaining why he came to IVCC.
Hardman, who is a right-handed pitcher, expected the pitching staff and team competiveness to be the Apaches’ strong points this season, while being young and unexperienced are what he believes will be the team’s weak points.
Hardman, followed Koopmann, who was his pitching coach at Northeastern Illinois University to the Illinois Valley.
Allen, who graduated in 1996 from Ottawa Township High School, formerly played for Black Hawk College in Moline.
Why did Allen return to the Illinois Valley? "The talent that we have," said the outfielder.
Other transfers include Mike Fulkerson, Ryan Bonnamy, Carl Taft, Jon Flood, and Steve Wasmer.
Fulkerson, a 1997 Princeton graduate, is an outfielder on the Apache roster, and said that his main reason to come to IVCC was a place to play before he goes back to a four year school. He previously attended University of St. Francis.
"The program was not what I thought it would be," said Fulkerson, about the University of St. Francis program.
Fulkerson said that the Apaches’ strong point will be the pure talent that they have.
Bonnamy, a 1997 graduate of Glendbard South High School, transferred to IVCC, from Northern Illinois University. Bonnamy, who is a sophomore, is a left-handed pitcher, who stands 6’2 tall, and believes that the team’s strong points are going to be the pitching, fielding, and hitting.
Bonnamy, said he left Northern because of bad grades.
Taft, a 1997 graduate of Downers Grove North, attended N4C member, College of DuPage, prior to becoming a member of the Apaches.
Taft, who is a left-handed pitcher, said, "a better opportunity under Coach Koopmann" convinced him to transfer to IVCC.
Taft added that he thinks the team’s strong points are going to be pitching chemistry, and team running in addition to base running.
Flood, is a 6’ freshman catcher, who graduated from Stevenson High School.
Wasmer, is a 6’5 freshman right-handed pitcher from Mendota High School. Wasmer transferred from Elmhurst College and is the tallest member on the team.
March 15, 1999 the Apache