(December 24, 2024 12:32 PM ET) Jackson College has announced Jon Gwizdala, a member of the USA Men’s National Softball Team, as the new head coach for the Jets softball program.
Gwizdala brings a wealth of experience to the position, most recently serving as the pitching coach at the University of Toledo from August 2022 through the 2024 season. His collegiate playing career began in 2010 as a pitcher at Delta College in University Center, Michigan. He later returned to Delta as a volunteer assistant softball coach in 2013 and 2016.
After earning an associate degree from Delta College, Gwizdala completed a bachelor’s degree in exercise science at Central Michigan University, where he served as a practice player for the Chippewas’ softball team in 2014. In 2018, he obtained a Teacher’s Certification in science and physical education from Saginaw Valley State University.
Gwizdala’s coaching career includes roles as assistant softball coach at Davenport University from 2019 to 2021, where he also coordinated camps and events, and as an assistant coach at Western Michigan University during the 2022 season. At Western Michigan, he worked with the Broncos’ pitching staff, helping them improve their strikeout totals, ERA, and WHIP.
Beyond collegiate coaching, Gwizdala has been an instructor at Diamonds Sports Training in Grand Rapids and the Great Lakes Baseball Softball Hitting Club in Saginaw. From 2017 to 2019, he served as assistant director of scouting for RISE Softball Midwest Region, managing media relations, athlete promotion, and the recruitment of 84 high school athletes who went on to play college softball.
As a player, Gwizdala was a standout member of the USA Men’s National Softball Team. He competed in the 2019 WBSC World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, and the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, where Team USA won silver. In 2022, he helped Team USA secure a bronze medal at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, ending a 22-year medal drought. Gwizdala pitched 13.1 innings with 19 strikeouts and a 5.25 ERA during the tournament. He is an Elite Athlete rep on multiple USA softball committees.
Gwizdala is married to wife, Chelsea, and they have a daughter, Sadie.
Softball Pitcher/Catcher Camp set for Jan. 11, 2025
Jackson College will host a Softball Pitcher/Catcher Camp for high school and college-age players on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, from 12:30-4 p.m. in the Victor Cuiss Fieldhouse.
Pitchers and catchers are invited to develop their skills through focused drill work and instruction. Pitching and hitting portions will be held in the batting cages in the fieldhouse.
- Catchers: Improve receiving, transferring, and handling multiple pitchers through targeted drills.
- Pitchers: Enhance your pitch spin and speed with tailored exercises.
- All Athletes: Participate in hitting sessions and learn valuable mental skills to sharpen your game.
The cost for the camp is $40; please bring a check made out to Jackson College Softball on the day of camp. Click here to register. For questions, contact coach Jon Gwizdala at gwizdaljon@jccmi.edu.
Softball Skills Clinic set for Jan. 12
Softball players from eighth-grade through college age are invited to an afternoon Softball Skills Clinic happening Sunday, Jan. 12 in the Victor Cuiss Fieldhouse.
From 12 noon to 2:30 p.m., athletes will have the chance to enhance their hitting and defensive skills through hands-on station work. This clinic is designed to help sharpen players’ techniques, gain valuable insights, and boost their mental skills to grow as a softball player!
Cost will be $40 per player; click here to register.
(https://www.jacksoncollegejets.com/sports/sball/2024-25/releases/20241030flzgtj)
Questions? Please contact coach Jon Gwizdala at gwizdaljon@jccmi.edu.
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