Meet the Coaches
Justin Schulte - Head Coach
Justin Schulte enters his 12th season as a head coach and 15th season in college baseball. The 2009-2010 season will mark Schulte’s 5th season leading the Blackhawks. In his first 11 seasons as a head coach, Schulte has compiled 420 victories – 144 of which have come in his three seasons at Southeastern, the best four-year run in school history.
The 2009 season saw the Blackhawks set a school record for single-season wins, with a final record of 41-15, and climbed as high as 9th in the national poll. Numerous sophomores from the 2009 squad signed scholarships with 4-year universities. Chris Vergne signed to play for the Islanders of Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi (D1). Other Blackhawks signing baseball scholarships included: Angel Rose (Iowa Wesleyan, NAIA), Marcus Ledbetter (William Jewel, NAIA), Luis Rodriguez (Upper Iowa, DII), Steven Englund (Northwestern College, NAIA), Andres Castro (USC-Beaufort, NAIA), Joey Bergles (Viturbo University, NAIA), and Gio Todaro (Emanuel College, NAIA).
In 2008, Schulte’s Blackhawks finished with an overall record of 35-23, marking the first back-to-back seasons with 35 or more wins in SCC history. Thirteen players from Schulte’s 2008 class received scholarships at the 4-year level, highlighted by RHP Rob Sorensen signing with the University of Northern Iowa of the Missouri Valley Conference. Former Blackhawk outfielder Robert Ortiz also signed a contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks in ‘08, marking the fourth straight year a former Blackhawk signed a professional contract. Schulte’s Blackhawks are the only Junior College program in Iowa to accomplish that feat.
In just his second season at SCC, Schulte’s 2007 club finished tied atop the ICCAC, sharing the conference title and finishing second in the Regional while compiling 35 victories – second most in school history. That squad’s success on the field was matched off the field as well with eight players earning scholarships from 4-year schools. That 2007 class was highlighted by Aaron Bonomi signing with Winthrop University, a part of the Big South conference in South Carolina, and by Rafael Carlot being drafted by the Florida Marlins.
When Schulte first took over Southeastern’s program in August of 2005, he faced an immediate uphill battle as he had only four players on the active roster just weeks before the fall season. Despite that early-season handicap, Schulte managed a 33-win season in 2006, the second-most in school history. Six players from that club moved on to the 4-year level, highlighted by RHP Brock Alberts, who signed with the Big 10 Conference’s University of Iowa, and shortstop Luis Fernandez, who was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 25th round.
Schulte’s head coaching career began in June of 1998 when he took the reins at Mount Mercy College, a program that had won just eight games the previous season. Schulte quickly turned the Mustangs into a perennial contender with 32 wins his first season. To follow that 180 degree turnaround, Schulte’s Mount Mercy teams won 40-plus games four of the next six seasons. Overall, the Mustangs won 276 games from 1999-2005 – more than any four-year school in the state of Iowa in that time period – and made it to the Regional playoffs in six of Schulte’s seven seasons.
In the Mount Mercy baseball program’s history, Schulte holds seven of the top eight spots for most single-season wins. His Mustangs practically re-wrote the record books in that era, breaking more than 100 school records, including stealing more than 900 bases, which best summarized the Mustangs gritty and aggressive style of play. Mount Mercy also finished in the top 10 nationally in hitting and pitching three of Schulte’s seven years. In that span, Schulte coached 14 All-Americans and 36 All-Conference players.
Schulte began his collegiate coaching career at Southeastern Community College where he was the pitching coach from 1996-1998. While there, the ICCAC had six first team All-Region pitchers – Schulte coached four of them, including Alex Negron who, in 1998, was drafted and signed by the Oakland Athletics. In the 1998 season, SCC set the school record for wins with 36, a record that still stands today.
In all, in 11 seasons as a head coach, Schulte has coached 16 All-Americans, six Academic All-Americans, 16 All-Region players, 25 Academic All-Region players, 36 All-Conference Players, 44 Academic All-Conference players, and has broken more than 100 records at Mount Mercy College and Southeastern Community College combined.
Schulte played his collegiate baseball and graduated from the University of Iowa in 1995. There, he pitched two seasons for the Hawkeyes. Prior to joining the Hawkeyes’ staff, Schulte received his Associates of Arts degree from Southeastern Community College where he played shortstop and pitched for the Blackhawks.
Schulte was born and raised in Norway, Iowa. Brought up in a baseball environment, Schulte was part of three high school state title teams (1987-1990) and a runner up team at Norway High School. Post high school, Schulte continued playing with the Norway Bandits, a semi-pro baseball team. Since 1990, the Bandits have won eight Iowa Amateur Baseball state titles and Seven Iowa Valley League titles.
Schulte currently calls New London, Iowa, home with his wife, Tara, and three children, Kenadi, 10, Kaylor, 8, and Kooper, 5.
Shane Gunderson-Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach Shane Gunderson is from Fairbault, Minnesota. Shane received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Minnesota. He coaches at Bemidji State University from 2007-2009 and will receive his master's degree in December. Shane played college baseball at the University of Minnesota from 1992-1995. Shane receive Big Ten player of the year in 1995 and 1st team All-American. Shane was also 6th round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins in 1995 and played in the Twins organization for 6 years getting to the Double A level.
John Goodwin-Assistant Coach
John Goodwin joins the Blackhawks Baseball coaching staff after spending the last two seasons as the assistant coach at Division II Texas A&M University – Kingsville. He will be in charge of the instruction of both outfielders, and infielders, as well as play a vital role in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes for the Southeastern Community College Blackhawks.
While at Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Goodwin served as the recruiting coordinator, and was responsible for the instruction of hitters and infielders. In Goodwin’s first season with the Javelinas, the team won the Lone Star Conference Championship, only the third in school history, and made its first trip to an NCAA Regional Tournament. In his first season with the Javelinas, significant statistical improvements in every major offensive category were seen. Defensively, double plays turned increased significantly, as did fielding percentage, with the Javelinas finishing the season with a .956 fielding percentage. 2008 saw players Josh Livingston, Sam Strickland, Owen Weaver and Taylor Everett receive Lone Star All Conference recognition. Weaver, and Joey Hamon were voted to the Lone Star Conference all Tournament Team, while Tim Jones was recognized as the Lone Star Conference Tournament M.V.P.
In Goodwin’s last season with the Javelinas, the offensive power numbers were drastically increased, with the team increasing its slugging percentage, and doubling its homerun production. Under Goodwin’s tutelage, Javelina outfielder Clifton Thomas became the first player in school history to hit at least 10 homeruns, 10 doubles, and steal at least 20 bases. Thomas finished the season at .330, with 10 homeruns, 12 doubles, 3 triples and 20 stolen bases. Both Thomas, and senior Sam Strickland received Lone Star All-Conference recognition in 2009.
Prior to coaching at Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Goodwin was the Assistant Baseball Coach at Hardin High School in Hardin, Texas for 3 seasons where he was responsible for the instruction of hitters, infielders, and catchers. In his first year with the Hornets, the team saw a 14 game increase in wins, 2nd ever state playoff appearance, and first ever playoff win. In his second season at Hardin, the team experienced its first district championship, first back-to-back Texas State Playoff appearance and he tutored the first All-State infielder in school history (Travis Hudnall).
As a prep player at Liberty High School in Liberty, Texas, Goodwin led his team to 4 consecutive Texas State Playoff appearances, and regional final appearances in 1997 and 1998. He was a two-time 1st team All-State infielder, as well as 2 time District 24-3A M.V.P., and 1998 Texas High School Player of the Year Finalist. He led the state of Texas (Class 3A) in hitting in 1997 and 1998.
In 1999 Goodwin played at Seminole State College (Oklahoma) under NJCAA Hall of Famer and legendary Head Coach Lloyd “Zero” Simmons. The team qualified for the 1999 Junior College World Series, and finished the season with a 58-8 record, and ranked 5th in the country.
In 2000, Goodwin was a starting middle infielder, Team Captain, and Academic-All Conference performer for Head Coach Jon Groth at Tyler Junior College (Texas).
Goodwin graduated cum laude college cum laude from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science, and earned his Master’s degree in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University – Kingsville in 2009.
