By Chris Fuller
Kentucky Scouting Director

Todd Asalon is entering his 12th season as the head baseball coach at Northern Kentucky University.  During his tenure, the Norse have racked up 398 wins and six NCAA Division II tournament appearances.  With the college baseball season getting underway just a few days from now, Asalon faces a new challenge as he prepares to lead the NKU baseball program in its first season of Division I play as members of the Atlantic Sun Conference.  PBR recently had a chance to discuss the move to Division I with Coach Asalon.

PBR: The announcement that NKU was moving to Division I came in December 2011.  Has that been something the guys in your locker room have been pointing to since that announcement?

Coach Asalon:  It really has been.  I think every athlete wants to compete at the highest level and now they have that opportunity.  We have also tried to communicate to them, with this transition all of the stakes are higher and they need to take their work ethic and commitment to a higher level especially with the Atlantic Sun being so competitive.

PBR: As you transition this year from Division II to Division I baseball, does that change the way you approach recruiting?

Coach Asalon: Absolutely.  Recruiting is the lifeblood of any program, and we are trying to find the best student-athlete  that fits our program and philosophy.  We are still trying to find our niche, but I feel that we have done a great job so far with the kids we have signed.  The Cincinnati area  is heavily recruited and we realize that we need to be a force in that region, but also realize that we may have to reach outside of that area as well. We are now recruiting coast to coast and internationally.

PBR:  How is the 2013 recruiting class shaping up for the NKU baseball program and are you finished with that class or still looking to fill a few needs?

Coach Asalon:  We are really excited about our 2013 class and feel that many of them will be immediate impact players.  We have 13 commits from 6 states and Canada.  We have 2 more roster spots available and hoping to fill those spots with LHP’s.

PBR: What are your expectations in your first season as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference? 

Coach Asalon:  We are going to focus on playing hard, solid, fundamental baseball and focus on the process rather than the result this year.  The Atlantic Sun Conference is rated tied for #9 in RPI and we understand the quality of teams in this conference.  We are going to go in and plan on winning every series, but at the end of the day, I want the A-Sun teams know that they were in a dogfight with a team that plays extremely hard and would never quit.

PBR: Where do you envision taking the program in terms of competing on the Division I level?

Coach Asalon: Our goal is to win the ASun and to be a Top 25 program.

PBR: Prep Baseball Report is well established in many nearby states and arrived on the scene in Kentucky back in the fall.  How have you been able to utilize the information that Prep Baseball Report offers to your advantage?

Coach Asalon:  I look at the PBR website every day to gather information and updates on recruits and upcoming showcases and tournaments.  It is an outstanding tool for college coaches.