Aug. 21, 2009

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Lewis University head baseball coach Tim McDonough announced on Friday the addition of former major leaguer Scott Sobkowiak as an assistant coach.

A Downers Grove, Ill. native and 1995 graduate of Montini Catholic High School, Sobkowiak's primary focus with the Flyers will be working with the pitching staff.

"After getting to know Scott, I truly believe his pitching philosophies are going to make our pitching staff stronger," McDonough said. "We have been able to recruit potential difference makers on the mound and Scott's knowledge and work ethic will certainly rub off on the entire pitching staff."

A standout at the University of Northern Iowa, Sobkowiak's earned All-Missouri Valley Honorable Mention honors in 1997. Sobkowiak's 213 career strikeouts and 210.2 career innings rank fifth and seventh respectively all time in Panthers history. Sobkowiak spent the summer of 2007 competing in international competitions as a member of Team USA.

After his junior season the Atlanta Braves selected Sobkowiak in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball amateur draft. His selection was just the fourth in Northern Iowa history. Sobkowiak made the Atlanta Braves roster in 2001.

Following his time with the Braves organization, Sobkowiak saw action in the Frontier League, Atlantic League and Taiwanese Professional Baseball League. Sobkowiak played baseball in over 40 states and six different countries over the course of his nearly 10-year professional and collegiate career

In 2008 Sobkowiak took a position with Professional Baseball Instruction of Illinois. He conducted over 500 private lessons and coached several elite travel teams with PBI. Sobkowiak graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications from Northern Illinois University in the winter of 2008.

"Scott's professional experience will be an added dimension to the staff and offer a new and unique perspective to our current players and on the recruiting trail," McDonough said. "The fact that he went back to finish his college degree after his playing career was over is a testament to the importance he places on education."

The Flyers start the 2010 season in late February.