Mike Pankow is leaving the University of Maine at Presque Isle after four years.
The Owls’ baseball coach, who also served as the university’s sports information director, was hired on Thursday as the first baseball coach at Bay College in Escanaba, Michigan, according to the Bay College athletic department’s Facebook page.
Pankow, a native of Hortonville, Wisconsin, amassed a 25-107 record during his four seasons as the UMPI baseball coach. The team did record one of its most successful seasons in 2016 as the Owls won 12 games and Pankow was named Association of Division III Independents Coach of the Year.
Mike Pankow encourages a batter during a recent University of Maine at Presque Isle baseball game. Pankow is leaving his duties as baseball coach and sports information director at the university to take a similar position at Bay College in Escanaba, Michigan. (Courtesy of UMPI Athletics)
During his tenure, Pankow’s teams produced 11 Academic All-Americans and 14 All-AD3I selections.
“Mike brings a wealth of collegiate experience with him; he is a proven recruiter, coach, and mentor,” said Bay College Athletic Director Matt Johnson in a statement appearing on the school’s website. “He comes with a proven track record as both a player and a coach. Mike is, without a doubt, the right person to lead our new program at Bay.”
Prior to his stint at UMPI, Pankow coached basketball and baseball at his alma mater, Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, and also was a coach, athletic director and physical education teacher at the high school level in the state.
“Having seen the excitement surrounding the school and athletics, it is a fantastic time to be joining the Norse athletic program,” Pankow said in the statement. “I am excited for this opportunity and to build a competitive program that gives young student-athletes a positive educational experience.”
Bay College reinstated its athletic program last fall with the addition of men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s cross country. Baseball and softball will begin play in the spring of 2019.
Pankow said he will miss UMPI and the people of northern Maine.
“Northern Maine is a fantastic place to live,” Pankow said. “To be honest, when I first took the job, it was scary as I had never lived outside of Wisconsin before, but the people in The County were amazing and welcoming and made me feel as though I belonged.”
Pankow said he also will serve as sports information director at Bay College and is expected to begin his new duties Jan. 15.
