MSU Billings Hires Baseball Assistant (Aug. 3, 2005)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings head baseball coach Chris Brown announced Wednesday that Mike Benke has been hired as the Yellowjackets’ assistant coach for 2005-2006.  Benke was Brown’s assistant for two years at Bemidji State and spent last season as the Beavers’ interim head coach after Brown left to take the MSU Billings post in March.

“The addition of Mike to our coaching staff will have an immediate impact on our program,” said Brown.  “He is a hard worker that has a wealth of baseball knowledge to share as well as a passion for the game of baseball.  I have known Mike for almost six years, and he has been with me for the last two as my assistant.  We share similar coaching philosophies and compliment each other as far as coaching strengths go.  I am extremely excited to have him on board and know that he will be an integral part of the Yellowjacket Baseball Program for years to come.”

As a player, Benke was a four-year starter at Bemidji State.  He earned all-conference honors three times as a first baseman.  Benke started his coaching career in his hometown of Roseau, MN, where he was the Legion head coach.   

“I look forward to rejoining Chris and can’t wait to help him put the MSU Billings baseball program on the map,” said Benke.  “The chance to be a part of the successful Yellowjacket Athletics program is a tremendous opportunity.  I have already felt the impact of baseball in the Billings community and in the state of Montana; and for me, our season can’t start soon enough.”

MSU Billings announced the addition of baseball in February after a three decades absence.  The Yellowjackets will compete in the Heartland Conference with a 40-game conference schedule in 2006.  MSUB officially opens the season on February 18 when they play a non-conference doubleheader at Colorado Christian.  The Jackets’ home opener at Cobb Field will be March 17 against Northwest Nazarene University.  MSU Billings tentatively has 54 games scheduled for the spring season; the NCAA II maximum is 56.