Head coach Rob Ehlers is not the only newcomer to the Shawnee State baseball team coaching staff this year. He is joined by the Bears’ new assistant coach Juan Familia.

Familia is originally from Laureldale, Pennsylvania, where he began his baseball career at Muhlenberg High School. After graduation, Familia committed to play baseball at the college level at Penn State University. After a year at Penn State, he decided to transfer to the University of Rio Grande to continue his baseball career.

After graduating from Rio Grande, he played two years for the West Virginia Miners in the Prospect League and then continued at the professional level in the Pioneer League. Though his time on the field as a player ended then, Familia was inspired by his college and pro coaches to look into coaching. Familia found himself at Shawnee State after being introduced to Ehlers by a close friend.

Familia described his coaching style as “competitive, motivated and keeping high energy.” Every coach has strengths, and Familia perceives one of his strengths to be building confidence among his players. When they are struggling, he tries to motivate them by reminding them that everyone experiences the possibility of failure, and that it is all part of the game and provides lessons players can learn.

Familia says he wants his players to “try and be the best they can be while working on the field and hopefully seeing some players expand their careers outside of college.”