The Harper College men’s basketball program will be under new direction after Justin Welke tendered his resignation last week. Sean Stochl has been named the head coach of the Hawks.

“Sean is an excellent fit for our program. Not only is he a product of Harper College, but he has been serving as a member of the adjunct faculty and as an assistant softball coach,” said Director of Athletics and Fitness Doug Spiwak. “Sean fosters a positive environment that promotes growth and development. He also has a sound foundation in education and business. Students can connect with him on several levels. He will have the opportunity to serve as a coach, mentor, and as a role model.”

Stochl has been an Instructor in the Kinesiology, Health & Wellness Department at Harper College since August of 2012 and has taught nine different 100 and 200 level classes in the department. He is also the current assistant coach for the softball team at Harper. Stochl was a former Harper College student-athlete himself, having played on the men’s basketball team during the 2006-07 season as well as the football team in 2006 and 2007.

“I have known Sean since he went to Harper. I remember how he would bring his full effort to every practice and game, while always having fun with his teammates and friends. He was exciting to watch as a player, and I am looking forward to the excitement he will bring to the program as a head coach,” Spiwak said. “Sean will bring his playing, coaching and life experiences to the student-athletes.  That Hawks spirit is inside him, and I know he will work to provide our athletes with an outstanding athletic opportunity in an environment that supports academic success. ”

He graduated with an Associate in Arts degree at Harper College in 2007 before moving on to Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois. At Blackburn, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Physical Ed K-12 & Leadership) in 2012 while also playing football, basketball, and baseball at the college. Stochl also obtained a LBS1 endorsement in Special Education from MacMurray College in 2011.

Stochl values the time he spent at Harper College as a student-athlete and wants the same to be said of the future men’s basketball players at Harper College upon leaving Harper College.

“Being a student-athlete from here, I want to make sure they share the same experience as I had here,” Stochl said. “I want to make sure that I can help them and make sure their experience with athletics is good.”

Stochl completed his graduate work at Rockford University and Northern Illinois University. At Rockford University, he earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in 2013, and at Northern Illinois University, he earned a Master of Science Degree in Kinesiology (Exercise Psychology) in 2015.

Stochl has also coached athletics on the high school and college level. At Johnsburg High School, he served as a varsity basketball assistant and more recently as the Head Boys Coach A& B and also helped coach football and track and field. Stochl also helped coach at Rockford University and was the Manager of Athletics and Facilities at Blackburn College.

“I am ready to go get after this thing. I love athletics. I want to personally see 15 individuals come in, 15 individuals leave (each year) being productive citizens out in the world,” Stochl said.

http://harperhawks.net/news/2016/4/19/stochl-named-harper-mens-basketball-coach.aspx

Photo Courtesy Harper College Athletics