Coaches
Mike Laird
Head Baseball Coach
673-1023
lairdm@wmpenn.edu
Gymnasium
Mike Laird enters his 26th season at the Statesmen helm this spring.
In 2006, he led his team to the Region VII Tournament for the fourth year in a row. He also guided Penn to the NAIA World Series in
2004, as the team set a school record for wins (48).
During his tenure, William Penn baseball has been nationally recognized as a formidable opponent, ranking fourth in the NCAA in winning percentage in the 1990s. His teams have
competed in nine NCAA and four NAIA postseason tournaments. Under his direction, the Statesmen have captured national statistical titles in double plays, pitching, earned run
average, slugging percentage, triples, best pitching records, and fewest runs allowed per game and season. Laird's record at Penn is 722-318-3 (.694) while his overall head baseball
coaching record is 810-376-3 (.683). At the high school level he finished with a 88-58 coaching record. As a player or coach, Laird has participated in 19 national postseason
tournaments.
In the fall of 1999, Laird brought his hands-on approach to baseball abroad when he was invited to coach the Japanese national championship team, Shogaku Gakuen, in Okinawa.
Laird has coached 82 all-conference players, 20 All-Americans, and nine conference MVPs, while nearly 30 former players have been drafted and/or signed to professional
contracts. He was named conference coach of the year eight times, and has been recognized by the IHSBCA and ABCA, most recently being named Region VII Coach of the Year in
2004. He was also an NAIA Coach of the Year finalist in 2004.
Laird received his bachelor's degree from Penn and his master's in Education Administration from Northeast Missouri State University. He returned to his alma mater in 1980 after
five years as head coach in baseball, basketball, and track at area high schools. Since then Laird has served in several capacities at Penn, including Director of the Learning
Center, admissions representative, instructor, assistant men's basketball coach, and Athletics Director from 1992-2001 and 2003-2007.
He currently works as an advancement officer. Laird has also been very active in community activities, including youth baseball,
volunteer work, and serving on local boards.
Laird resides in Oskaloosa with his wife, Victoria. The couple have five children: Ian,
Sierra, Kara, Leah, and Aaron.
Andy Milheiser
Assistant Baseball Coach
673-1023
milheisera@wmpenn.edu
Gymnasium
Andy Milheiser is in his fifth season as an assistant coach for the Penn baseball team, playing a vital role in the Statesmen's back-to-back Midwest Classic Conference titles in
2004 and 2005.
He transferred to Penn from Chabot College in California in 1997, and was a member of the 1998 and 1999 Statesmen teams. Milheiser spends
most of his time with the defense, including the catchers, but also helps out with the hitters. He is a 2003 graduate of William
Penn.
Brad Sherry
Assistant Baseball Coach
673-1707
Gymnasium
Brad Sherry begins his second year as assistant baseball coach after serving as an assistant for the Lady Statesmen softball program the previous four years.
Sherry was a member of the Statesmen baseball team for two seasons in 2000 and 2001, hitting .355 during his time on the diamond. He
then served as an assistant coach during the 2001 campaign. Sherry then crossed over onto the Penn softball program, beginning in the
fall of 2002 when he officially joined the softball staff as a student assistant coach. Sherry worked primarily with the outfielders and
hitters.
A 2002 graduate of Penn, Sherry is originally from West Lafayette, Ind.
