Knights Shine at ABCA Convention.
January 8, 2017Alum Eddie Cornejo of UC Santa Barbara and Corvallis Assistant Coach Youngjin Yoon Deliver Outstanding Presentations
Knights alum Eddie Cornejo of UC Santa Barbara and Corvallis assistant coach Youngjin Yoon (pictured) wrapped Saturday's clinic schedule at the 2017 ABCA convention in Anaheim, California with interesting, informative and uplifting presentations.
Cornejo, the recruiting coordinator/assistant coach at UCSB and former Knights shortstop (2001), was part of a presenting team put together by Corvallis Knights longtime partner and friend Dennis Rogers of Riverside City College.
Dennis introduced his team of former Riverside CC players and coaches - Cornejo, Yoon and Pepperdine pitching coach Rolando Garza - before a collection of coaches, administrators and exhibitors from across the country.
Over 5,000 high school and college coaches attend the national convention. This year's show was in the Anaheim Convention Center.
Eddie, in full Gaucho uniform, shared the notion of creating an environment where the players participate in the creation of drills to address skill development. Hitting was the topic, but the message was to "let them be" and they will thrive, and surprise you. And that coaches can learn from their players.
Garza and Yoon followed Cornejo and shared their pitching development philosophy and Yoon closed by demonstrating skill breathing with great energy.
The presentations by Rogers, Cornejo, Garza and Yoon were very well received and nicely capped Saturday's clinic as those in attendance left energized and in great moods after Yoon's performance and wishes of love. (pictured is Yoon's love pose.)
On Friday night, the Corvallis Knights hosted an alums and partner school coaches appreciation event at the Hilton Anaheim, the ABCA's primary hotel.
Corvallis team president Bre Miller, head coach Brooke Knight and Knights Baseball Club CEO Dan Segel greeted guests.
Yoon and Knights associate head coach/pitching coach Connor Lambert also attended.
Special guests included alums 2001 team MVP and Pittsburgh catcher Chris Stewart (Riverside CC) and his wife Lindsey; 2009 WCL MVP Richie Jimenez (Riverside CC); all-WCL performer and former assistant coach Billy Clontz (Mt. Hood/Western Oregon); 2007-2009 all-WCL infielder Josh Hogan (Mt. Hood CC/Oregon); 2010 team MVP Dylan Jones (Mt. Hood CC/Oregon State); 2011 closer and all-WCL pitcher Mark Trentacosta (UC Irvine); and 2010 all-WCL pitcher Dustin Emmons (UC Riverside).
Alum assistant coaches Andy Jenkins of Oregon State and Cornejo of UC Santa Barbara as well as alum head coaches Andrew Checketts of UC Santa Barbara and Jason Hawkins of San Jose State were in attendance.
Also attending were Pac-12 head coach of the Year Bill Kinneberg of Utah, Concordia skipper Rob Vance, George Fox head coach Marty Hunter and Linn-Benton CC head coach Ryan Gipson; and head associate coach Pat Bailey of Oregon State, assistant coach Bryson Leblanc of UC Riverside and assistant coach Rolando Garza of Pepperdine.
Other partners in attendance were Dennis Rogers, former NWAC executive director Dick McClain, Cowlitz Black Bears owner Tony Bonacci and head coach Grady Tweit, Okotoks Dawgs head coach Tyler Graham and George Williams of BSN Sports.
The social went from 5:30 pm to 9 pm, and fun was had by all including the coaching staffs of the 2016 Pac-12 champion Utah Utes, George Fox University and San Jose State.
