Barta New Baseball Coach at UTB/TSC
Posted July 1, 2006

Joel Barta is the new Baseball Coach at UTB/TSC. Barta becomes the seventh head coach in the programs history and his appointment comes as the university joins the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Red River Athletic Conference in the fall.

 “I am very excited about this opportunity and the future of Scorpion Baseball. The building process started when I said yes.  Our future will be built by bringing student athletes that want to roll up their sleeves and go to work in the classroom and on the field, said Barta. “My family and I are excited about this opportunity and look forward to building our life in the valley.”

Barta currently manages the Wisconsin Woodchucks of the Northwoods League, a summer wood bat summer developmental league for college eligible student athletes.  He is in his first year as the Woodchucks Field Manager.  He also spent the last two seasons as the pitching coach and interim field manager for the Woodchucks organization. 

Barta has also served as the head baseball coach for the Northland College Lumberjacks during the past seven seasons. Northland College is a dual affiliated institution of the NAIA and NCAA Division III. He has also worked as an assistant coach at Mayville State University and Hastings College, both NAIA institutions.

“I am very excited to have Joel take the lead of our baseball program as we enter a new era in the NAIA,” said Daniel Huntley, Director of Athletics at UTB/TSC. “Joel has a great understanding of the NAIA through his participation as a player, assistant coach and as a head coach. He will bring an expectation of success to our program.”

As a member of the Red River Athletic Conference and the NAIA, the university will offer athletes the opportunity to participate in sports while pursuing their bachelor’s degree. 

“We will need to build a strong relationship and foundation with the talent that already exists in the region," Barta said.  “This may take time, but we definitely want to retain the student athletes that are interested in diplomas, championships and representing Scorpion baseball as role models to our youth.  Nothing good was ever built without hard work and a strong foundation.  Our intent is to do just that.”

UTB/TSC currently fields teams in volleyball and men’s and women’s golf. In the fall of 2007, men’s and women's’ soccer will be added.

The Scorpion baseball team finished the past season with a 17-32 overall record and were 10-26 in the in the National Junior College Athletic Association.