WBCA Announces 2010 Speaker Lineup: Madison Marriott, February 12-13, 2010

Gordie Gillespie- The great Gordie Gillespie has amassed 58 years of coaching the sport of baseball. An inductee into 15 halls of fame and a four-time NAIA national baseball coach of the year, Gordie is College Baseball’s winningest all-time coach, with over 1800 victories. In 2006, Gordie returned to the St. Francis dugout after 10 years at Ripon College.

Brian Cain- Is the Director of Brian Cain Peak Performance and one of the top Peak Performance Coaches in the World today. He has addressed International audiences of coaches, athletes and sales professionals. A dynamic speaker and presenter who will keep you on the edge of your seat with stories, props, videos, jokes and fast paced action packed presentations, Cain’s workshops will have a lasting impact on your coaching.

Rob Cooper- This bright young coach was named just the fourth head coach in the 37-year history of Wright State on July 14, 2004. In his first five seasons at the helm, Cooper has appeared in three Horizon League Championships Games and led the Raiders to 30+ win seasons in each of the past four years. They have also appeared in two NCAA Tournaments during that time. Last years team finished at 33-30.
In the summer of 2007, Cooper joined an elite group of coaches when he was selected as an Assistant Coach for the USA Collegiate National Team. The WSU head coach traveled around the world with the National Team and won the Silver Medal at the Pan-Am Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

John Vodenlich- Since taking over the reins of the Warhawk baseball team prior to the 2003-2004 school year, his teams are 211-75. The 1995 team won the Division III National Title. Vodenlich was named NCAA Division III Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association in 2005 as well as being named the Baseball Man of the Year by the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association an award he also won last year.

Howie Bedell- Howie is a former major league outfielder, coach and professional manager. Born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, he signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1957. In 1961, he had his break-out season at Louisville where he hit .327 with 63 RBI. He started his 1962 season with Milwaukee, where he played in 58 games. From 1964 through 1967, Bedell was in AA ball in the Eastern and Texas Leagues with good averages of near or above .300. In 1966, he won the Eastern League batting crown and was the league’s MVP. He had his last hurrah in the majors with 9 games and seven at bats for the Philadelphia Phillies. The left hand batter was 1-for-7 with one walk as a pinch hitter. In one of his at bats, on June 8, he broke up Don Drysdale’s 58 2/3 consecutive innings scoreless streak with a sac fly. His major league career was comprised of 67 games and 145 at bats with a .193 average. After his playing career ended, Bedell served as a manager in the Phillies’ farm system from 1969-1971 and from 1973-1974. He was also a coach with the Kansas City Royals in 1984 and the Seattle Mariners in 1988, and the farm director of the Cincinnati Reds in 1990 and 1991.

Chris McKnight- A past NCAA Coach, Pro manager, and scout for over 21 years, Chris is now involved in his own Baseball Vision Program, used by the Milwaukee Brewers and numerous other pro and college teams. This program has helped teams accomplish championships and league leading batting and fielding statistics.

BJ Brenna- Is the Director of Rehabilitation Services and Physical Therapy at Cumberland Memorial Hospital. He received his undergraduate degree at UW-La Crosse and his Doctorate at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah. He is Board Certified in Sports Physical Therapy and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a Performance Enhancement Specialist. He has worked with professional baseball players in sport fitness and injury prevention.