Shaun Neitzel was named the interim director of athletics at Aurora University in August of 2012 and served as the head baseball coach at AU since 2002 before stepping down in January of 2013.
Neitzel led one of the most successful baseball programs in the country, as the Spartans currently hold the ninth-best winning percentage (.722) and twelfth-best overall win total (625) since 1990. Neitzel is a two time recipient of the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference Baseball Coach-of-the-Year award (2005, 2006) and a two time recipient of the ABCA Central Region Coach-of-the-Year. His 2004 Spartans finished with a 3rd place finish in the NCAA Division III National Championships, and his 2006 team finished with a 7th place finish respectively. Along with working several instructional camps and individual lessons yearly, Neitzel is also a long-standing member of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA).
During his tenure as an assistant with the Spartans, Neitzel served as the pitching coach, 1st base coach, administered AU's junior varsity program and coordinated the recruiting. During that time the Spartans compiled a record of 167-45 (.790), winning five conference championships, while making four regional and two national tournament trips. "Playing at the national level is a high priority for our program, our commitment every year is to recruit high quality student-athletes that will take pride in putting on that Spartan uniform."
Neitzel has his roots in the Aurora area as a graduate of nearby Oswego High School, where he was all-area in football and basketball and all-conference in baseball for the Panthers. He also played baseball for Waubonsee Community College. While at WCC, he was twice the national co-leader for saves in a season. He set the school season and career records for saves and appearances while pitching for the Chiefs as well.
He also pitched for the nationally prominent William Penn College's program and upon finishing his collegiate playing career; he became an Assistant coach for the Statesman. As an assistant with the Statesmen, WPC was a NCAA tournament qualifier in 1995 as he served as an infield coach and pitching coach through the 1996 season.
Neitzel earned his B.A. in Sports Administration from William Penn College and his Master's of Science degree in Recreation Administration as well as a Master's in Business Administration - Leadership from Aurora University. He and his wife, Michelle, have two daughters, Allison and Lily, and currently reside in Montgomery, Ill.
