Steve Eddie, head coach
EddieS@bvu.edu
Steve Eddie, who was named Head Baseball Coach at Buena Vista University in 2000, will be entering his eighth season skippering the Beavers in 2008. He joined Buena Vista as an assistant coach in 1998.
The Beaver baseball program appears to be heading in the right direction. In just his second year as a college coach, Eddie earned the 2002 Iowa Conference Coach of the Year Award after his team finished 24-14, 15-6 in the Iowa Conference, which was good enough for a 2nd place finish. In 2007, the squad appeared in the conference tournament for the fourth time under Eddie's leadership. During the 2006 season, he recorded his 100th career coaching victory.
Eddie, a graduate of Albert City-Truesdale, came to Buena Vista after a playing career at the University of Iowa. Eddie was an infielder on the Big Ten Championship team in 1990. At the conclusion of his college career, Eddie spent seven seasons in minor league baseball with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox. Eddie reached the AAA level for part of the 1999 season with both Indianapolis (Cincinnati) and Charlotte (White Sox) before ending his career with the AA Birmingham Barons (White Sox).
After Eddie retired in September of 1999, Eddie served as an assistant baseball and basketball coach while finishing his undergraduate degree in Business Management at Buena Vista. He also earned his master's degree from Buena Vista.
Steve and his wife Stacey reside in Storm Lake with sons Mark and Jake.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Career Highlights
University of Iowa 1990-1993
Billings Mustangs (A) 1993
Charleston Alley Cats (A) 1994-1995
Winston-Salem Warthogs (A) 1996
Indianapolis Indians (AAA) 1996
Chatanooga Lookouts (AA) 1997-1998
Indianapolis Indians (AAA) 1999
Chatanooga Lookouts (AA) 1999
Charlotte Knights (AAA) 1999
Birmingham Barons (AA) 1999
Coaching Record
2001 12-17-1 overall, 7-11 in IIAC (10th place)
2002 24-14 overall, 15-6 in IIAC (2nd place)
2003 15-24 overall, 9-10 in IIAC (6th place)
2004 18-21 overall, 6-10 in IIAC (Tied for 6th place)
2005 18-22-1 overall, 8-8 in IIAC (4th place)
2006 14-24 overall, 5-11 in IIAC (Tied for 7th place)
2007 18-16 overall, 11-11 in IIAC (5th place)
Overall record at Buena Vista is 119-138-2, record in IIAC 61-67
Steve Sonka is entering his second season as the Beaver pitching coach. In just his first season, he had a pair of pitchers earn all-conference honors, marking the first time since 1982 that BVU has had two pitchers land such recognition. Coach Sonka has an extensive baseball background and is well known in western Iowa for his work with the Roughrider Baseball Program, an elite traveling little league team.
Coach Sonka also has over ten years of high school coaching experience, serving as the pitching coach at Cherokee Washington High School. The Braves have qualified for the Iowa State Tournament in each of the last three years, while capturing the 2007 State Championship.
Steve and his wife Vicki reside in Cherokee.
Dupic begins his first year as a member of the BVU coaching staff in 2008, following a standout career in a Beaver uniform. He began his collegiate career at the University of Iowa before transfering to Buena Vista in the fall of 2005.
The Emmetsburg, Iowa, native was a two-time First Team All-Conference pitcher for the Beavers, while also earning All-Region honors following his senior campaign. He finished his career with a 9-8 record (eight complete games) and a 3.64 ERA. In 126 innings of work, he tallied 97 strikeouts, while walking only 30. Offensivlely, he recorded a .296 average in 206 career at-bats. In June of 2007, he continued his playing career by signing a professional contract to play with the Sioux City Explorers.
Michael Barta, assistant coach
Barta begins his first season as an assistant coach for BVU after serving as a Co-Captain for the Beavers as a senior last season.
The Carroll, Iowa, native saw action both on the mound as well as third base. He led the pitching staff in games started (10) in 2007, while also starting 20 games on the infield. Despite seeing most of his action on the hot corner, he got plenty of experience at all infield postions. He was named the Pitcher of the Year in 2006 by his teammates before being tagged as the Ultimate Team Player by his teammates in 2007.
Following his senior campaign a year ago, Barta founded the Carroll Classics - an amateur summer team in his hometown. He was recently named the head baseball coach at Newell-Fonda High School.
Dustin Schulz, assistant coach
Schulz will begin his first year as an assistant coach with the BVU baseball program in 2008.
While at Buena Vista, he earned five combined letters (two in baseball and three in football). Last season, Schulz led the Beavers in doubles (8), hit .315, and was tabbed as the Most Improved Player by his teammates. The Garner, Iowa, native has previously served as an assistant baseball coach at Storm Lake St. Mary's High School.