The University of Akron Athletics
Rembielak Signs Three-Year Contract Extension as Akron Baseball Coach
November 12 | Baseball
AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron baseball head coach Rick Rembielak has agreed to a three-year contract extension, which was recently approved by the University's Board of Trustees. Rembielak signed an agreement that runs through August 2015.
"We hired Rick because he has a proven track record in the Mid-American Conference and strong northeast Ohio roots," Director of Athletics Tom Wistrcill said. "He created a great experience for his student-athletes as our coach this past season, and we are making this commitment because we believe more than ever that he is the right person to transform Zips Baseball into a championship program."
Rembielak, a three-time MAC Coach of the Year who has compiled more than 500 career wins, enters his second season as head coach of the Akron baseball program in 2013.
In 2012, the Zips earned a series sweep over MAC foe Bowling Green – Akron's first sweep of a league opponent since 2009 and notched three more conference victories than the previous season. Additionally, pitcher Andrew Brown finished his career with a first team All-MAC selection and was chosen in the 23rd round of the MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies.
Also in 2012, Rembielak and the Akron baseball program helped produce the most influential Diamond Classic for the Kids in the six-year history of the event. Through community outreach and in conjunction with Kent State, the team was able to raise over $16,000 for the Akron Children's Hospital – a record total for the event. The 2012 game was also played in front of an event-record crowd at Canal Park in downtown Akron.
"I am extremely grateful to President (Luis) Proenza and Tom Wistrcill for their commitment to athletics at the University," Rembielak said. "Our president's vision for our University has the attention of many, and I'm excited to have the chance to develop its baseball program."
Rembielak, who has previously served as the head coach at Kent State and Wake Forest, is a Cleveland native and 1988 graduate of UA. He won four MAC regular season championships and three league tournament titles at KSU, where he remains the all-time winningest coach of any sport with a career record of 373-251-1 (.597).
Moreover, in 11 seasons as the Flashes' head coach, Rembielak was 200-100 (.667) against league members and led KSU to 11-consecutive MAC Tournament appearances. During that time, Rembielak produced seven MAC Pitchers of the Year as well as the MAC Player of the Year and MAC Freshman of the Year, twice.
In his 17 seasons as a Division-I head coach, Rembielak has had 36 players sign professional contracts, including pitcher John Van Benschoten, who was selected eighth overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2001.
In all, Rembielak owns a record of 530-431-1 (.551) over a 17-year career as a Division-I head coach.
