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Mike Creason of Maryville, Missouri, was approved Wednesday as Southwestern Community College’s new head baseball coach.
Creason replaces Chris Piperno as head coach, who became Southwestern’s head softball coach this summer.
Joining with plenty of experience, Creason spent 22 years as Northwest Missouri State University’s assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator. He also worked in the maintenance department.
Creason prides himself in making strong connections with coaches; therefore, being able to recruit high-level student-athletes, assisting them in furthering their academic and athletic careers and helping them become well-rounded individuals. Prior to coaching at Northwest, he played for the Bearcats, a part of the NCAA’s highly competitive Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Conference. In 2018, he assisted in coaching the Bearcats to the MIAA regular season conference championship.
Southwestern Athletic Director Cole Higgins said Creason is a great fit for Spartan athletics.
“Mike’s dedication to the student-athlete was apparent during the interview process,” Higgins said. “He has the ambition and experience necessary to step into a head coaching role and we are excited to see him guide our baseball program. I am confident our college and communities will benefit from this hire.”
As for the style of baseball Creason will bring to Southwestern, he said, “We will pride ourselves on showing up with energy and being ready to work every day. We will be competitors who work diligently to improve our skills. We will play fast, focus on pouring into others, embrace our roles, and fight until the very last out. All the while, enjoying the game we love and cherishing the opportunities baseball has given us.”
Creason was impressed with the direction of Southwestern athletics during the interview process.
“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to be the next head baseball coach at Southwestern Community College. After meeting with administration, other coaches and staff, I quickly realized there is a lot of passion for the college, students, and student-athletes. It was exciting to see and hear where Mr. Higgins vision is and the places he will take this athletic program, and I am honored to be a part of it.”
Originally from Riverside, California, Creason earned an Associate of Arts degree from Victor Valley Community College in Victorsville, California; a bachelor’s degree in corporate recreation from Northwest and a master’s degree in recreation administration from Northwest.