Baseball Alumni
South Suburban College’s student athletes’ graduation rate under Head Coach Steve Rucich is 75%. Steve has coached eleven All-Americans including 2013 1st team Steve Letz and 2006 1st team Lee Fischer who was also voted best defensive player in the nation. “Coach Ru” also has had 24 players drafted by major league teams including six players that have reached the big leagues. Four are currently playing including Tim Brydak (Houston Astros), Ron Mahay (Minnesota Twins) and Tony Cingrani (Los Angeles Dodgers). 210 players have continued on to four-year college programs. As a player himself, Steve was named second team All-American Catcher, All-District Catcher and All-Area Catcher.
Below is the list of Bulldogs who have moved on to Four year schools or successful transfer:
Connor Ceglarz- Robert Morris University
Dan Cryan- Illinois State University
Colin Kelly- University of St. Francis
Mike Madura- Purdue Fort Wayne
Nick McAlister- Southern Illinois University
Joe Preusser- Lewis university
Justin Ruthrauff- University of Pikeville
James Smyth- Tennessee Wesleyan
Andrew Olszewski- Southern Illinois University
Augie Schlaffer- Robert Morris
Troy Cullen- Indiana University South Bend
Jackson Dvorak- University of Missouri-St. Louis
Carlos Flores- Purdue Northwest
Jordan Fox- Robert Morris University
Kyle Hallberg- Indiana University South Bend
Ray Hansen- Purdue Northwest
Stephen Hill- Morehead State University
Dashon Moore- University of Illinois Springfield
Franklin Morales- Robert Morris University
Louis Reynolds- Roosevelt University
Diego Rincon- Robert Morris University
Matt Waznis- Eastern Illinois University
Alex Bacevicius- Robert Morris University
Chris Baker- Trinity Christian
Aaron Donald- Grand Valley State
Patrick Hogan- Trinity Christian
Joshua Hojnicki- Indiana University Southeast
Hunter Kraynak- Cedarville University
Michael Kogut- Webster University
Dustin Krob- University of St. Francis
Joey Lara- Kentucky Wesleyan
Nate Montgomery- Tusculm College
Bailey Schultz- University of St. Francis
Greg Alexander- Kentucky State University
Luis Avila- Robert Morris University
Roberto Berdecia- Rockford College
Mike Farnan- Davenport University
Tyler Johnson- Rockford College
Eloy Melero- Indiana University Purdue Fort Wayne
Brian Seymour- University Of Missouri St. Louis
Stefano Belmonte- Florida Gulf Coast University
Tyler Fritz- Indiana University South Bend
Jake Hickey- Northern Kentucky University
Nick Kellams- Indiana University South Bend
Ryan Novak- Indiana University South Bend
Justin Pasko- Purdue Calumet
Brandon White- Davenport University
Jeremy Wright- University Milwaukee
Matt Hoge- Davenport University in Davenport, Iowa.
Stephen Letz- Northern Illinois University.
Cody Moskovsky- Davenport University.
Dominic Albanese- Davenport University.
Ben Santori- Robert Morris University.
Josh Pieper- Trintiy Christian College.
Brandon Collins- Lewis University.
Ryan Eger- Purdue University Calumet.
Francisco Galvan- Robert Morris University.
Kevin Hallberg- Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.
Brad Kopale- Trinty Christian College.
Even Nietfeldt- Grand Valley State University.
George Rooke- Purdue University Calumet.
Tyler Sindewald- North Central College.
Justin Stowe- Purdue University Calumet.
Craig Austgen- St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, IN.
Andrew Cecchi- University of Illinois.
John Ciolkosz- North Central College.
Harry Doherty- University of Indianapolis.
Joe Greenfield- Eastern Illinois University. Joe was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2012.
Jake Michalak- Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.
Adam Pasko- Robert Morris University.
Connor Petschke- Kentucky Wesleyan in Owensboro, KY.
Matt Pobereyko- Kentucky Wesleyan College.
Nate Ruzich- Northern Illinois University.
Mike Topp- Robert Morris University.
Drew Chibe- Trinity Christian College.
AJ Doyle- Indiana University Southern.
Kuris Duggan- Dayton University in Ohio.
Brandon Duplessis- St. Ambrose in Davenport, Iowa.
Adalberto Galvan- Robert Morris University.
Keith Greer- University of Southern Indiana
Staten Jones- University of Arkansas-Pine Bluffs.
Mike Kane- Northern Illinois University.
Kyler Kopach- Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa.
George Patteson- Robert Morris University.
Ryan Rizzi- St. Catharine College in St. Catharine, KY.
Joshua Stowe- Robert Morris University.
Ryan Windt- Wisconsin Parkside University.
James Dawson- Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Matt Delgado- Illinois Benedictine.
Ricky Jordan- Chicago State University.
David Nelson- St. Augustine College in Raleigh, North Carolina.
David Sindewald- Robert Morris University.
Anthony Cingrani- Rice University in Houston, TX. Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 2009. Made his MLB debut September 9, 2012 for the Reds.
Brett Clark- Indiana University-Fort Wayne.
Marty Coyle- Robert Morris University.
Adam Enright- Southern Indiana University.
William Fischer- Culver Stockton College in Canton, MO.
Scott Handley- Southern Indiana University.
Bill Les- Chicago State University.
Daniel Martinez- Robert Morris University.
Tyler Newsome- Lewis University.
Danny Solis- McHendree College
Salvador Bolanos- Bellevue University in Bellevue, Nebraska.
Tony Lepore- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
Randon Lingle- Western Illinois University.
Steve Lorenz- Bellevue University (NE).
Joe Messina- St. Joseph’s College (IN).
Brandon Peters- Bellevue University (NE).
Dave Berres was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2006. Now with the Rome Braves (A).
Bob Gonsoulin- Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TX).
Chris King- Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville,TN.
Ryan Miller- Robert Morris College (IL).
Billy Murphy- Indiana University- Southeast (IN).
Brent Summers- Indiana State University (IN). Transferred to Calumet College of St. Joseph (IN). Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2006.
Jim Williams- St. Xavier University (IL).
Shane Zegarac- St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, IN. Drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2009. Shane is now pitching coach for South Suburban College.
Ben Bartley- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
Matt Brannigan- St. Xavier University (IL).
Erik Chappell- University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
Nick Damas- Marshall University in Huntington, WV. Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2008.
Adam DelRio- Purdue University-North Central (IN).
Lee Fischer- University of Missouri. Drafted by the Chicago White Sox (1377) in 2008.
Jim Kulovitz- Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
Andy Loomis- Purdue University (IN). Drafted by the Florida Marlins in 2008.
Joey Martin- St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA.
Steve Strutz- Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.
Ryan Buchler- St. Xavier University (IL).
Vince Cabrese- Weber International in Babson Park, FL.
Jeff Carrero- Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.
Jason Holas- Henderson State in Arkadelphia, AK.
Pete Johnson- Lindenwood Universityin St. Charles, MO.
Ryan Keelan- Calumet College of St. Joseph (IN).
Pete Pignatiello- University of South Carolina, Aiken (SC).
Joe Schmal- Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL.
George Shimko- Benedictine University (IL).
Garret Wiejak- Indiana Institute of Technology.
Brian Wilkin- Truman State in Kirksville, MO.
Jeremy Burke- Robert Morris College (IL).
Chris Cunningham was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (345). He has retired from pro baseball. Chris is now the hitting coach for South Suburban College.
Chris Ericksen- University of South Carolina, Aiken. Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2003. Retired from professional baseball.
Ryan Gilbert- Millikin University in St. Louis, MO.
Tom Glowski- Trinity Christian College (IL).
Phil Laspesa- Trinity Christian College (IL).
Ken Firlit- Eastern Illinois University.
Steve Paradzinski- Purdue University-North Central (IN).
Nick Richards- Trinity Christian College (IL).
Joe Rybicki- Robert Morris College (IL).
Mark Satkowski- North Central College (IL).
Tony O’Gean- University of St. Francis (IL).
Chris Ericksen was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2003. He has retired from baseball.
Jake Gloude- Western Illinois University.
Matt Miles- Calumet College of St. Joseph (IN).
Dirk Miller- Robert Morris College (IL).
Kevin Peller- Western Illinois University.
Mark Schuit- Millikin University in St. Louis, MO.
Ryan Sickles- Gardner-Webb University in Winston-Salem, NC. He is now assistant coach at South Suburban College.
Bill Wheeler was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003. He is now retired from baseball.
Eric Woerheide- University of Sciences in Philadelphia, PA.
Paul Ameilo- Robert Morris College (IL).
Justin Clarke- University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
Jim Healy- University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
Chris Hill- University of South Carolina, Spartanburg.
Jim Landini- Robert Morris College (IL).
Mike Lynch was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2002. Now retired from baseball.
Eric Miller- Robert Morris College (IL).
Joe Nourie- Southeast Missouri State University.
Justin Papp- St. Xavier University (IL). He is now retired from baseball.
Pete Retsos- University of Northern Iowa.
Adam Churchill- Olivet Nazarene University (IL).
Tom Cunningham- Robert Morris College (IL).
Dan Cunningham- University of Louisville (KY).
Jerrel Hughes- University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Jon Moench- Dana College in Blair, NE.
Cliff Novak- University of Louisville (KY).
Ryan Rapp- Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO.
Phil Wail- Barton College (NC).
Anthony Walker- Calumet College of St. Joseph (IN).
Joshua Hearn- Iowa State University.
David Rodriguez- Culver-Stockton College in Canton, MO.
Thom Stapleton- University of Wisconsin-Parkside.
Dan Jackson was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1998. Now retired from baseball.
Scott Frawley was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2006. Now retired from baseball.
Rob Mackowiak was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1996. Made his MLB debut on May 19, 2001 for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Played with the Chicago White Sox in 2006 and part of 2007. In July of 2007. he was traded to San Diego Padres. Played for the, Washington National and Cincinnati Reds in 2008. In 2010, he was hired as hitting coach for the Windy City ThunderBolts. Now retired from baseball.
Julius Matos was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1994. Made his MLB debut on May 31, 2002 as a second baseman for the San Diego Padres. In 2011, Matos joined the AA Trenton Thunder as their hitting coach. Julius is now retired from professional baseball.
A relief pitcher, Tim Byrdak attended Rice University where he played college baseball. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 1994. Tim made his MLB debut on August 7, 1998 for the Kansas City Royals. He went on to pitch for the Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros and New York Mets. Byrdak is now retired from professional baseball.
Vince Griffin was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1993. He is now retired from baseball.
John Lewandowski was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 1992. He has retired from baseball.
Clint Gagnon was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1992. He is now retired from baseball.
Rob Mahay was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1991. Rob made his MLB debut on May 21, 1995 for the Boston Red Sox. In 2001 and 2002, Mahay pitched for the Chicago Cubs. He is now retired from professional baseball after 16 years.
Steve Munda was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1991. He is now retired from baseball.
For more information on players that graduated before 1989, contact Coach Ruzich at (708) 596-2000 ext. 5843.