Chad Harris, a native of Hot Springs, Ark., is currently in his fourth year as the head baseball coach at Clarke College.

In 2009, Harris' squad more than doubled the win total from the previous year, going 18-30. The Crusaders improved in almost every statistical category in 2009. In 2008, Clarke managed only 11 home runs the entire season. In 2009, the Crusaders more than tripled that number by hitting 35 home runs as a team. The Crusaders raised their batting average from .239 in 2008 to a respectable .294 in 2009. On the mound, the Crusaders also showed major improvement by dropping their team ERA by almost two full runs.

The 2009 year also included a huge win for the baseball squad as they defeated NCAA Division I Western Illinois University. The win came just week after Western defeated the University of Iowa and just a few weeks after Western defeated Oklahoma State University.

According to Harris, NAIA baseball is only a slightly lower level than NCAA Division I.

"It's not unusual for NAIA teams to beat Division I programs," said Harris. "In baseball, a solid pitching performance and making the routine plays can keep any game competitive. Then you're just a clutch hit away from a win. That's one thing that's great about baseball. And at this level, our talent isn't too far behind D-I teams. The biggest difference is the depth. D-I programs are going to be deeper on the bench, but with the starting nine or 10, I'll take my chances."

Harris and his staff are working hard to get the Clarke baseball program to national scene.

"We play in a solid conference. Once we are consistently competing for a conference title, we will then be gaining more regional and national attention," said Harris. "We are working to make Clarke a household name in NAIA baseball, and we're getting there!"

Harris is also determined to make sure his coaches and players understand how fortunate everyone is to be involved with this level of baseball. His teams run two baseball camps per year for kids from ages five and up while also hosting a "Little League Team of the Day." Each year a youth baseball team gets to hang out with the Crusaders before a home game and then take the field as the starting line-up is announced. The Crusaders also make an annual visit to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital. On the visit, the Crusaders hand out hats, T-shirts, and sign autographs for patients at the hospital.

"We are all guilty of taking for granted the opportunities we have before us. I think it's important to make sure we give back to the community around us and use our positions in a positive way for others. I want my players to understand this in life as soon as possible."