Wauconda's Mikrut joins NU's baseball staff

Jon Mikrut, who played at Northwestern from 2002-05, has returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach for the Wildcat baseball team.

"We're very excited to have Jon back at Northwestern University after being a player here and moving on to professional baseball," head coach Paul Stevens said Wednesday. "We feel that he will have a strong relationship with our student-athletes.

"Mikrut, who will be in charge of infielders and hitters, was a standout as both a shortstop and a pitcher during his time at NU. He ranks first all-time at the school in at-bats (788), second in games played (212) and saves (16), third in triples (11) and total bases (365), fourth in doubles (44) and sixth in hits (233).

A native of Wauconda, Mikrut signed a professional contract with the St. Louis Cardinals' organization after finishing his collegiate career. He competed as both a position player and a pitcher for four seasons and advanced to the Double A level. He played in the 2006 Midwest League All-Star Game as a pitcher for the Swing of the Quad Cities and was also selected to the 2008 Florida State League All-Star Game.

He also worked as a baseball instructor at the Libertyville Sports Complex as well as recently serving as the head sophomore baseball coach at Carmel High School in Mundelein.