641-673-1023
lairdm@wmpenn.edu

Mike Laird enters his 28th season at the Statesmen helm this spring.

In 2009, he led his team to the NAIA National Championships Opening Round, the sixth time in seven years Penn had advanced to postseason play. Laird 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 six 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 784-350-3 (.691) while his overall head baseball coaching record is 872-408-3 (.681). At the high school level, he finished with an 88-58 coaching record. As a player or coach, Laird has participated in 21 national postseason tournaments.  His teams have recorded several wins over NCAA Division I teams, including Central Michigan, Western Illinois, Iowa State, Northern Iowa, and Texas-Pan American.

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 94 all-conference players, 22 All-Americans, and ten 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.

 

Year	Overall	League	Accomplishments
2009	36-17	17-6	MCC Champs, NAIA Opening Round
2008	26-15	20-3	Region VII
2007	25-23	9-17
2006	32-16	18-7	MCC Champs, Region VII Finals
2005	45-15	20-8	MCC Champs, Region VII
2004	48-15	22-6	MCC, Region, and Super Reg. Champs, NAIA (6th)
2003	38-15	16-6	Region VII
2002	40-14	12-11
2001	19-21	10-12
2000	22-18-1	8-10
1999	30-17-1	10-10-1
1998	23-16	9-10
1997	21-13	9-6
1996	29-8	13-5
1995	30-15	9-7	Playoffs
1994	30-9	12-4
1993	27-4	11-3
1992	34-4	13-1	IIAC Champs, Playoffs
1991	27-9	14-2	Playoffs
1990	28-5	18-2	IIAC Champs, Playoffs
1989	27-8-1	14-3	IIAC Champs, Playoffs
1988	31-8	15-4	IIAC Champs, Playoffs
1987	39-8	16-4	Playoffs
1986	33-10	15-5	IIAC Champs, Playoffs
1985	13-20	6-17
1984	20-13	8-6
1983	11-14	3-6
Career	784-350-3	347-181-1