641-673-1023
lairdm@wmpenn.edu

Mike Laird enters his 27th season at the Statesmen helm this spring.

In 2008, he led his team to the Region VII Tournament for the fifth time in six years. He also guided Penn to the NAIA World Series in 2004, as the team set a school record for wins (48).

During his tenure, William Penn baseball has been nationally recognized as a formidable opponent, ranking fourth in the NCAA in winning percentage in the 1990s. His teams have competed in nine NCAA and five NAIA postseason tournaments. Under his direction, the Statesmen have captured national statistical titles in double plays, pitching, earned run average, slugging percentage, triples, best pitching records, and fewest runs allowed per game and season. Laird's record at Penn is 748-333-3 (.691) while his overall head baseball coaching record is 836-391-3 (.681). At the high school level he finished with an 88-58 coaching record. As a player or coach, Laird has participated in 20 national postseason tournaments.

In the fall of 1999, Laird brought his hands-on approach to baseball abroad when he was invited to coach the Japanese national championship team, Shogaku Gakuen, in Okinawa.

Laird has coached 86 all-conference players, 20 All-Americans, and nine conference MVPs, while nearly 30 former players have been drafted and/or signed to professional contracts. He has been named conference coach of the year eight times, and has been recognized by the IHSBCA and ABCA, most recently being named Region VII Coach of the Year in 2004.  He was also an NAIA Coach of the Year finalist in 2004.

Laird received his bachelor's degree from Penn and his master's in Education Administration from Northeast Missouri State University. He returned to his alma mater in 1980 after five years as head coach in baseball, basketball, and track at area high schools. Since then Laird has served in several capacities at Penn, including Director of the Learning Center, admissions representative, instructor, assistant men's basketball coach, and Athletics Director from 1992-2001 and 2003-2007.

He currently works as an advancement officer. Laird has also been very active in community activities, including youth baseball, volunteer work, and serving on local boards.

Laird resides in Oskaloosa with his wife, Victoria. The couple have five children:  Ian, Sierra, Kara, Leah, and Aaron.

Brad Sherry enters his third year as assistant baseball coach, working primarily with the outfielders and hitters.

Sherry was a member of the Statesmen baseball team for two seasons in 2000 and 2001, hitting .355 during his time on the diamond. He then served as an assistant coach during the 2001 campaign.

Sherry then crossed over onto the Penn softball program, beginning in the fall of 2002 when he officially joined the softball staff as a student assistant coach. Sherry also worked primarily with the outfielders and hitters.

A 2002 graduate of Penn, Sherry is originally from West Lafayette, Ind.