WEST BURLINGTON - Southeastern Head Baseball Coach Justin Schulte achieved career win number 1,000 Saturday, March 30th against the Southwestern Spartans. This milestone is a testament to the success that Schulte has had at the college level. The spring 2024 baseball season embarks Schulte's 19th season with the Blackhawks. During Schulte's time at Southeastern, the Blackhawks have achieved 725 wins in his 18 years (17 full seasons). Perhaps the most impressive testament to his career, Coach Schulte has never posted a losing season as a head coach at the collegiate level. Schulte earned career win no. 1,001 Sunday as the Blackhawks defeated the Spartans in extra innings thanks to a walk-off single by the Blackhawks.
Career percentage: 1,001-511 (.662)
Before coming to Southeastern, Schulte spent 7 years as the head coach at Mount Mercy beginning with the 1999 season. The year prior to Schulte's arrival, the Mustangs won just 8 games during an 8-30 season. That would quickly change with Schulte running the show. In his first year, despite having no athletic scholarships or a baseball field to call their own, he led Mount Mercy to 32 wins and a berth in the regional tournament. Schulte amassed 276 wins for the Mustangs from 1999-2005, making him the all-time winningest coach in program history. During that span, Mount Mercy went to 6 regionals, had four 40-win seasons, 36 All-Conference players, 14 All-Americans, 44 Academic All-Conference players, and 6 Academic All-Americans. In honor of his achievements, Coach Schulte was inducted into the Mount Mercy Hall of Fame in September of 2019.
Schulte's time at Southeastern has been nothing short of legendary. Schulte has led the Blackhawks to four ICCAC conference Championships, two Region XI Tournament Titles, two North Plains District Championships, and one National runner-up placement in his time at SCC, with the national runner-up coming last season.
Schulte has not only improved the careers of his players on the diamond, but he has also positively affected his players off the field; here are a few quotes from his former players-
"No coach deserves it more than him, he knows how to win no matter what." - Vasin Thurman
"I was lucky enough to have him as a coach since I was 12, and he just knows how to win, no one has earned it more." -Jason Thurman
"Schulte is as good as they come... The winning culture Schulte has created in West Burlington is elite and doesn't come by surprise. His program is about more than just baseball, it's about learning the skills it takes to be a great, well-rounded human being for years to come. I'm greatly honored to have played for such a great coach and be a small part of his road to 1,000. Congratulations on 1,000, Coach! Enjoy it!" - Austin Martin
"Schulte challenges us as ball players but as men. We leave this program better prepared for any adversity life throws at us. The program teaches you to compete at a high level on the field, in the classroom, in our careers. We leave better prepared to one day become the best husband, father, and man we can be. We leave the program with a standard and as winners." - Cole Yearsley
"1,000 career wins is an incredible milestone but comes as no surprise to me for Coach Schulte. His program improved me exponentially as a player but also as a man. He is a winner on and off the field, and the success of the Blackhawk program is a direct reflection of his character." - Sam Monroe
The Blackhawks sit at 22-8 overall on the 2023-24 season, and 6-3 in conference with this weekend's performance as arguably the best outing of the year. The Blackhawks have a series of road games coming up, starting with a Marshalltown double header this Wednesday, followed by a single game against Carl Sandburg Thursday. The Blackhawks are second in the DII ICCAC standings prior to Wednesday's double header.
