BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Illinois Wesleyan University Head Baseball Coach Michael Kellar has announced Josh Laurie as the next assistant coach of the baseball program Wednesday, July 31. Laurie is set to start Thursday, August 1. 

"We are really excited to welcome Josh to the Titan family,"  Kellar said. "Josh separated himself early on in the process with not only his knowledge of the game but his passion as well.  We are really looking forward to the expertise he will bring to our hitters and ability to recruit high-level student athletes." 

Laurie, who brings Division I and Division III coaching experience, comes to Bloomington following time on staff at Yale University. At Yale, he held roles of assistant coach and director of player development. Laurie assisted in running Yale Baseball's Showcase Camp, organizing practices, and was heavily involved in recruiting.

Prior to his time as a Bulldog, Laurie served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Alfred State School of Technology. During his time on staff, he helped Alfred State set the school record for wins (26) and earn the program's first Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference regular season championship. As the team's hitting coach, Laurie coached the team to its highest batting average as an NCAA team (.302).

Laurie earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in supply chain and psychology from Alfred State in 2021. He captained the baseball team for three year, starting 126 games and appearing in 128 over his four-year career. He received the school's Pioneer Legacy Award, given annually to the male and female athletes who have achieved success on and off the field throughout their career. An infielder, he was named first team All-AMCC in 2019. He earned a masters in business administration from Alfred in 2022.

Laurie has played professionally for the Alpine Cowboys of the independent Pecos League in Texas since 2021. He is a native of LeRoy, N.Y.