Baseball Factory is privileged to work with programs from every level of college baseball. We strive to educate and guide our players when it comes to choosing the right school. The more information a player knows about a school, coach and program, the better. Recently, Jim Gemler went one-on-one with Aaron Swick the Head Coach at Willamette University. Willamette is a Division III program in the Northwest Conference. Find out what Coach Swick has to say about his mentors, importance of video and what he looks for in a recuit.

1. How long have you been coaching?  How long at Willamette?
This will be my 7th year coaching and my 6th year at Willamette.

2.Who are some of your mentors or coaches that you look up to?
My coaching mentor was Vince Brown, my high school coach. He was a great teacher when I was growing up and then I had the opportunity to coach with him when I went home from college one summer. There are plenty of things that we do at Willamette which I learned from Coach Brown.

3. What is the first thing about your school and program that you want recruits to know about?
The competition and talent. I believe there is a stereotype surrounding Division III and the level of play. We have very talented players, some of who were recruited by Division I schools and choose Willamette because of the prestigious academics and small college atmosphere.

4. What do you look for in a prospective recruit on the field? Off the field?
We first look for athleticism. Then we look for internal drive. That combination allows for us to have a solid group of players who have the skills but also the desire to get better everyday.

5. How has video helped you in the recruiting process?
Video has really helped. There are several players on our team who we recruited based on seeing them through video.

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6. Willamette has tough academic standards, so do you have any advice for a prospective baseball player looking to attend your school?
Willamette is one of the top 50 liberal arts schools in the country. The academic setting is great with most of the classes on campus having no more than 20 students in them. The attention our players get from their professors creates an encouraging environment.

7. Despite those tough academics, the baseball program has done well in the Northwestern Conference over the past few years. Can you give any insight on how the team contends from year to year?
We have some special people in our program. I have great assistant coaches who teach and mold our players to reach their full potential. Our players want to have success and they push themselves to get that accomplished.

8. Can you break down your fall practice schedule? What do you all try to accomplish?
We have 4 weeks of practice with 4 days each week. We scrimmage half the time and the other half we concentrate on individual development. We use the fall to evaluate all the players as well as teach all the new players how we do things.

9. Do you have a strength and conditioning coach?
We have a strength coach and he works with our players after fall practice finishes until the players go home for Christmas break.

10. What can you tell us about your facilities?
I believe we have the best small college facility on the west coast. We have a 1500 seat stadium with concessions, rest rooms, and a press box. Behind the third base dugout is our clubhouse where we have individual lockers for all the players, satellite television, coaches’ office and showers. Our players use this space to becomes more of a family. We also have a covered batting cage with lights. The field itself was redone two years ago with a new infield, drainage, mound and plate. We have pro style benches in the dugouts and are putting up fences in front of them this fall.

11. What part of the 2012 schedule/year are you looking forward to the most?
I am looking forward to our conference games. Last year the conference was extremely tough from start to finish.

12. Is there anything you would like to add about your assistant coaches, recruits, parents, or program that we have not asked you about?
Willamette is a special place. Our kids have a great overall experience. They have a great academic and social experience but at the same time they play baseball year round against the best competition. Also, we have had 13 different freshman in the starting lineup over the last three seasons so there is a precedent of players getting an opportunity to come in and play right away.

Check out more "Conversations with College Coaches"