By: Brad Merritt

West Burlington, IA- On Wednesday, March 16th, Southeastern Blackhawks Head Coach Justin Schulte recorded his 900th career victory as a head coach.  In 24 seasons as a head coach at the collegiate level, Schulte has amassed 900 wins against only 310 loses.

The Blackhawks skipper reached the milestone on Wednesday, March 16th, in a 16-6 victory over Heartland Community College at Corn Crib park in Normal, IL. The victory came just 18 games into  his 18th season leading the Blackhawk's baseball program. Blake Gaskey got the win on the bump with the help of five scoreless innings from the bullpen and Cole Smith led the way offensively in the dominant victory. 

Prior to spending the better part of two decades as head coach at SCC, Schulte's coaching career started as the pitching coach at SCC after finishing up his playing career at the University of Iowa. After two years at Southeastern, Schulte took over the Mount Mercy program that had achieved just 8 wins in the year before he arrived. In his first season at the helm of Mount Mercy, Schulte amassed an astonishing 33 wins. In his six years leading the Mount Mercy program, he accumulated 276 wins and only 170 losses. 

In the fall of 2005, Schulte returned to Southeastern to take over a downtrodden SCC program that had won just 16 games the year prior.  Once again, Schulte quickly turned the program around winning 33 games in his first season, good for 3rd place in the ICCAC. In the 17 seasons to follow, Schulte has never finished lower than 3rd in the conference while averaging 40 wins per season in the process.

Despite his unparalleled success at the NAIA and Junior College level, Schulte has never made his career about him and his personal achievements.  For Schulte, it's about the players and laying the foundation for their success in life and baseball long after their time at Southeastern is done. Former SCC All-American backstop and current Iowa Hawkeye Austin Martin echoed that sentiment.

"To Coach Schulte, baseball is far more than a game… It's an avenue to teach his players the game of life, and play it the right way," Martin said.  "He teaches his players how to win and create/excel in a winning culture, through demanding excellence and respecting the game. 95% of the skills I acquired in Burlington are still utilized in my everyday life. Congratulations on 900 and thank you, Coach Schulte!"

To that end, he has produced 13 All-Americans and countless All-Region and All-Distract players. Over 180 former players from all over the world have gone on to sign with Division 1, 2 & NAIA programs.  In fact, every single player that has spent at least two years in his program at SCC has had the opportunity to continue their career at the four-year level.

For former players, Coach Schulte has been the common denominator to their development both at Southeastern and their life and career after leaving SCC. His impact, guidance, and the standard he sets have been paramount to their success. 

Former Blackhawk All-American pitcher Chas Sagedahl, who is finishing up his college career at Oakland after two years at Dallas Baptist, credited Schulte for not only helping him reach his potential on the field, but making him a better man in the process, "Being with Coach Schulte has helped me grow into being a man and also better my baseball skills, "Sagedahl said.  "He treats you like family and gave me a home that I am very thankful for. He is always there for you and wants you to strive to get better in school and baseball. He knows how to get under his players skin and make them the best player that they can be. Congratulations on 900 wins Coach Schulte!!

Coach Schulte also has the unique ability to connect with players from all different backgrounds and cultures.  Former Blackhawk and current Montreat College pitcher Tyson Cosgrove came to West Burlington to play for Coach Schulte all the way from Australia.  Schulte's impact on Cosgrove was no different than that of his players from small town Iowa.  Cosgrove said it's the memories and life-lessons that he still carries with him today.

"My time as a Blackhawk and playing under coach Schulte is a memory that will last a lifetime, "Cosgrove said.  "When I first arrived from Australia, he welcomed me with a new family away from my family. The love, knowledge and dedication he places towards his team is one that goes unspoken about. The discipline and skills he instilled into his players was not just for ball players. My old friend and coach is one that instilled life-lessons. Coach Schulte persisted accountability and to be good human beings in life to all of his players.  Coach Schulte, I thank you for the opportunity to be a Blackhawk, I thank you for life-lessons you have instilled into me, and I congratulate you on your 900th win."

Fellow import Dayson Croes, developed into an elite infielder under Schulte's guidance after coming to SCC from Aruba. His success at SCC ultimately led Croes to Quincy where he earned 1st team All-American honors in 2021.  Croes said Schulte taught him how to win on the diamond and in life.

"Playing for coach Schulte thought me a lot, but the three biggest 3 things were to be mentally tough, fight through adversity, and always compete, whether it's practice, games, or anything you do in life," Croes said. "And always be a winner."

Another former Blackhawk, Iowa native Lincoln Riley, now starring in the outfield at Eastern Illinois, said his decision to play for Coach Schulte at SCC was the best one he's ever made.

"Coach Schulte has tremendously impacted my life and baseball career," Riley said. "I am very grateful I chose Southeastern as it was one of the best decisions of my life! Congrats to 900 coach!"

Schulte has had a big impact on many of his former players.  Maybe none more so than former catcher turned first baseman Devin Buckner. Buckner, who was recently named one of the top 50 first baseman in D1 baseball by D1baseball.com, was an All-Region player at SCC before taking his talents to South Carolina Upstate. Buckner credits Schulte for instilling the values that have made not only him but countless other former SCC players successful long after their days as a Blackhawk are done. 

"I can't say enough about how much you have done not just for me but countless other players to come through SCC," Buckner said. "Thank you for instilling the values around the game and in life that I still carry with me today. I appreciate you more than you'll ever know."

Coach Schulte's influence isn't limited to former players.  Current Lenoir Rhyne Head Coach Chris Ramirez, who was national coach of the year at the University of Illinois-Springfield before moving onto Lenoir Rhyne, got his start in coaching from Schulte. He attributes much of the success that followed to the things he learned working for Schulte.

"Justin gave me my first job on coaching right out of college. Needless to say, I wouldn't be where I am at today without him," Ramirez stated. "Schulte is a teacher of the game and a true winner." "He is the definition of a baseball guy."