June 16, 2006

Northland College Director of Athletics Steve Wammer announced today that Head Baseball Coach Joel Barta has resigned to become Head Baseball Coach at the University of Texas – Brownsville. Barta has coached the LumberJacks since 2000, building a new program after Northland College reintroduced baseball as a varsity sport after a hiatus of over twenty five years.

“Joel Barta was the perfect choice for Northland to build a program from scratch,” commented Wammer. “his tireless effort has produced a quality program that has represented our college extremely well. Northland will miss his dedication and commitment not only to the baseball team, but also to the college. We wish Joel and his family well as they move on to UT-Brownsville.”

“Ashland was the first place my family has been able to call home,” Barta states, “and it has much to do with Northland College and the people there, as well as Ashland and the surrounding community.”

“I appreciate the chance I had at Northland to start a new program and play on a new field, but mostly to coach an outstanding group of student-athletes over the years,” Barta continues, “however this is a new opportunity that I feel I have to take advantage of. I am looking forward to the challenge of building a program at UTB.”

A national search for a new coach will begin immediately according to Wammer, “I am confident we will find a high quality coach to continue the success of the program.”