MSU Baseball Featured On ESPN.com
7/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
July 20, 2006
David Grewe has had a busy year. The Michigan State head baseball coach, who is entering his second season, has spent most of his time trying to convince high school recruits to play for a baseball team that hasn't reached an NCAA regional in 26 years instead of turning pro.
David Grewe may be young, but he is putting Michigan State baseball back on track.To many, the choice would seem obvious: Take the money and run. But after spending less than 30 minutes on the phone with Grewe, one of the fastest-rising coaches in college baseball, it's hard not to want to be a Spartan.
Grewe's ability to attract great players and develop personal relationships is paramount to the young coach's success. At the University of Dayton, Grewe played first base, catcher and third base, but his biggest impact might have been as an extra coach on the field.
"I knew before I got to Dayton that I wanted to be a baseball coach," Grewe explained. "I was always that type of player on the field. I had a knack for coaching and was a pretty good educator."
Grewe comes from a long history of educators; both of his parents are teachers. He learned at an early age the value of good communication and a strong work ethic -- two characteristics needed in his demanding role.
He also attributes his age -- he took the head coaching position in 2005 at the age of 29 -- as a factor in his success. Recruits are able to relate to him and feed off of his energy.
The Royal Oak, Mich., native spent his collegiate summers like most baseball players, playing for summer-league teams. Grewe, however, also made time to hone his coaching skills by working with area high school teams. As an assistant with the Motor City Pride in 1996, he helped coach the team to a 29-7 record. Nearly every member of that team went on to play baseball in college.
