University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Darryl Webb
@NCBearsBaseball Welcomes Back Jake Ek as Volunteer Assistant
1/10/2018 10:02:00 AM | Baseball
Former UNC shortstop Jake Ek returns as a volunteer assistant for the baseball team
GREELEY, CO – Head Coach Carl Iwasaki added a familiar face to his baseball staff with the addition of new volunteer assistant Jake Ek.
"The UNC baseball program is fortunate to have Jake Ek return to Jackson Field as a volunteer coach for the 2018 spring season," head coach Carl Iwasaki said. "Jake possesses the skill, knowledge, and experience as a former Bear standout shortstop. Jake will do a great job influencing a high level of infield play this coming spring season."
Ek joins the Bear baseball staff as the volunteer assistant for the 2018 season. He will serve as the infield coach, first base coach, and camp director. Ek will also assist with baserunning, and help with on-campus recruiting.
The Nebraska native first attended Hutchinson Community College, where he made 100 starts at shortstop over two years. A decorated career at Hutch that included 25 extra base hits, 69 runs batted in, 19 stolen bases, 45 walks, all while routinely making tough defensive plays, made him a desirable recruit for the Bears.
After transferring to UNC, Ek quickly became the starting shortstop, starting 91 games at the position over the next two years. He finished up by batting .246 his senior year, with eight stolen bases, and 26 runs batted in. Arguably his biggest achievement was being the starting shortstop for UNC while they made the WAC Tournament for the first and second time since joining the conference.
"Having played at UNC, I couldn't be prouder to put these colors back on," Ek, said. "I can't thank coach Iwasaki, coach Spiehs, and coach Rasmussen enough for asking me to jump on board with this 2018 team, and I will continue to give my best to the players and university that did the same for me."
Since finishing up his playing career, Ek has stayed on staff as an undergraduate manager while continuing his work toward his degree in sports and exercise science. He resides in Greeley.
The 2018 UNC baseball season starts on February 16, with the Bears taking on San Jose State in San Jose. The home opener is set for February 23 against Montana State-Billings with first pitch starting at 2 pm.
To stay up to date with all things UNC baseball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @NCBearsBaseball.
"The UNC baseball program is fortunate to have Jake Ek return to Jackson Field as a volunteer coach for the 2018 spring season," head coach Carl Iwasaki said. "Jake possesses the skill, knowledge, and experience as a former Bear standout shortstop. Jake will do a great job influencing a high level of infield play this coming spring season."
Ek joins the Bear baseball staff as the volunteer assistant for the 2018 season. He will serve as the infield coach, first base coach, and camp director. Ek will also assist with baserunning, and help with on-campus recruiting.
The Nebraska native first attended Hutchinson Community College, where he made 100 starts at shortstop over two years. A decorated career at Hutch that included 25 extra base hits, 69 runs batted in, 19 stolen bases, 45 walks, all while routinely making tough defensive plays, made him a desirable recruit for the Bears.
After transferring to UNC, Ek quickly became the starting shortstop, starting 91 games at the position over the next two years. He finished up by batting .246 his senior year, with eight stolen bases, and 26 runs batted in. Arguably his biggest achievement was being the starting shortstop for UNC while they made the WAC Tournament for the first and second time since joining the conference.
"Having played at UNC, I couldn't be prouder to put these colors back on," Ek, said. "I can't thank coach Iwasaki, coach Spiehs, and coach Rasmussen enough for asking me to jump on board with this 2018 team, and I will continue to give my best to the players and university that did the same for me."
Since finishing up his playing career, Ek has stayed on staff as an undergraduate manager while continuing his work toward his degree in sports and exercise science. He resides in Greeley.
The 2018 UNC baseball season starts on February 16, with the Bears taking on San Jose State in San Jose. The home opener is set for February 23 against Montana State-Billings with first pitch starting at 2 pm.
To stay up to date with all things UNC baseball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter at @NCBearsBaseball.
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