LIVONIA, Mich. – Madonna University Director of Athletics Noel Emenhiser announced on Friday, June 21st, that Oakland University (Mich.) Baseball's top Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coordinator, Drew Huard, will be the new head coach for the Madonna University Baseball Program. Huard becomes the sixth head coach in the 35-year history of Crusaders Baseball. 
 
"We are really excited to welcome Drew and his family to Madonna University and to the athletic community," Emenhsier stated. "We believe his mission and values are directly aligned with the University and the athletic department. Coach Huards's approach to leadership and relationships, which are at the core of the athletic experience, have really stood out through this entire process. I am really excited about the vision Drew has shared for the baseball program, Ilitch Ballpark, and our student athletes. I look forward to watching him grow on the history and tradition of Madonna Baseball."

"I am thrilled with the news, and my family in general, is thrilled to join the Madonna community," Huard said. "It is going to take a village, in order to get this program where it needs to be, and myself and my family are willing to put in the work. Madonna is a special place, when I heard this position opened up, I wanted to put myself in the best situation in order to be named the next head coach."

Huard, a Michigan native from Grand Ledge, spent the 2024 season with the Golden Grizzlies of Oakland University. Huard coached third base on game days and was the hitting coach / run game coordinator. Defensively, he coached the outfielders and was responsible for preparing scouting reports that included both offensive and defensive strategies for their upcoming opponents. On top of all of that, Huard was also at the helm of the Golden Grizzlies' recruiting efforts. 

In 2024, Huard helped the Golden Grizzlies break multiple school records. Oakland won 31 games this past season, which tied the record for most wins in a single-season. The 2024 team, matched the 2022 team for most wins by the team in a season at the Division I level and only the seventh time in program history a team has won 30-plus games. The Golden Grizzlies also broke the single-season record for the following categories: most hits (590), most triples (24), most runs scored (475), most RBIs (427), most base on balls (334), and most stolen bases (159). 

Before Huard went to Oakland, he spent five years at the NCAA Division II level with Davenport University (Mich.) in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Huard's first two seasons he spent as an Assistant Coach (2019-2021) before being elevated to the Associate Head Coach his final three seasons there (2021-23). During his time with the Panthers, they went 141-85 overall and had a conference record of 73-36. Huard helped the Panthers to back-to-back GLIAC regular season and tournament titles in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. 

Huard was tasked with the responsibility of being Davenport's Recruiting Coordinator. Huard brought in 43 student athletes over five seasons. From 2019 to 2023 he helped develop 35 All-Conference selections including the Player of the Year in 2019 and 2022.  

Prior to his move to the GLIAC, Huard was the head coach at Lansing Community College (Mich.) for two years. Huard in his first season, led the Stars to their second winning season ever, won them their first ever conference championship and first ever postseason appearance. During their postseason run in 2017, Huard and the Stars won the Midwest National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Regional, advanced to the NJCAA DII World Series and finished third overall. Huard was named MCCAA East Conference Coach of the Year and the Region XII Coach of the Year in 2017 as well. Huard spent two seasons at the helm overall with the Stars and finished with an 81-29 overall record and had 22 All-Conference selections, including the Player of the Year each season. 

Before Huard got into the coaching game, he played collegiate baseball against Madonna as he was a four-year starter and a two-year captain for the Aquinas College Saints from 2007-12. In high school, he was a three-year starter at Grand Ledge High School under the all-time winningest baseball coach in MHSAA history, Pat O'Keefe. He was an all-conference player for three seasons and was named to the Lansing State Journal's Dream Team as a senior.  

The Crusaders finished the 2024 season going 26-27 overall and made it to the WHAC Championship series for the third straight season. When Huard was asked about his expectations for the 2025 season this is what the new head coach had to say, "The expectation is to continue the sustained success from the previous coaches before me. We intend to contend for WHAC titles, as well as have success in the postseason by winning a regional title and eventually get to Lewiston and be in the NAIA World Series." 

UP NEXT:

Huard will look to solidify his coaching staff and get the Crusaders ready for fall ball and the upcoming 2025 season. 

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