Ben Reel begins his first season as head coach for the IU Southeast baseball program. At the age of 25, Reel is one of the youngest head coaches in collegiate baseball.  

During his time as an assistant coach, Reel served as hitting instructor, catching coach and recruiting coordinator.

Last spring, Reel guided eight different Grenadiers to all-conference honors offensively; led by Ben Wyatt who was an All-Region XII selection with a batting average of .408 and 61 RBIS - one RBI shy of tying the school record.

Also, two of Reel's most productive hitters (Beau Manning and Mark Abell) signed independent professional baseball contracts after graduating from IU Southeast.

Defensively, Reel helped coach a Grenadier catcher to all-KIAC honors in each of his first two seasons as the catching instructor.

In 2006, Reel was the starting catcher and team captain for the IU Southeast baseball squad that finished 30-26 overall and as KIAC Runner-Up. On the field, he hit .347 with 37 RBIs and a team-leading 19 doubles en route to earning KIAC first team honors. His 19 doubles are third most all-time in a single season by a Grenadier player as well as the most by a catcher. 

For his strong performance in the classroom, he received the KIAC Scholar Athlete Award and was named a NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete. While still competing on the field and completing his eligibility, Reel began serving as recruiting coordinator for the program through an internship opportunity. 

In the summer of 2006, Reel spent time traveling Europe representing the United States of America playing for Team USA. Prior to his time at IU Southeast, Reel played for two seasons at Cleveland State (Tenn.) Community College under Coach Mike Policastro. In the spring of 2005, Reel posted 1.000 fielding percentage behind the plate for the Cougars.

Reel was a three-year starting catcher at South Dearborn High School, earning EIAC All-Conference First Team and All-Region Honors. He was also a member of the American Legion Region VII Championship team.

Reel, a graduate of South Dearborn High School, received his bachelor degree in general studies from IU Southeast in 2007 and currently resides in New Albany, Ind.

THE BEN REEL FILE…

PERSONAL

EDUCATION

High School................................. South Dearborn (Ind.), 2002

College......................................... Cleveland State C.C., 2003-05

 ......................................................  Indiana University Southeast, 2006

COACHING CAREER

2006..............................................  IU Southeast, Recruiting Coordinator

2007..............................................  IU Southeast, Assistant Coach

2008..............................................  IU Southeast, Assistant Coach

Summer 2008.............................  East Cobb Cubs (Atlanta, Ga.), Assistant Coach

2009..............................................  IU Southeast, Head Coach  

COACHING YEAR-BY-YEAR

Year      School                                                  Position                                Record                 

Beau Manning begins his first season as assistant baseball coach for the IU Southeast baseball program.

Before becoming assistant coach, Manning spent his entire collegiate career at IU Southeast from 2005-2008. Manning was a four year starter who posted a .355 career batting average. Manning's tenure was spent playing third base, shortstop, and second base. Manning was named to the KIAC All-Conference team every year of his career at IU Southeast. Manning holds many individual career records at IU Southeast. He ranks first in most games played (211), at bats (699), total hits (248), and runs scored (191) and ranks second in doubles (56) and total bases (365). Manning was team captain for both his junior and senior seasons and was named IU Southeast Male Athlete of the Year in 2008. As a captain in his senior year (2008), the IU Southeast baseball squad finished 32-24 overall as both KIAC regular season champions and tournament champions.

In October 2008, Manning signed a professional baseball contract with the Continental Baseball League (Independent). In May, Manning will report to spring training in Texas. Manning will help Coach Reel and Grenadier baseball program until he is due to report to spring training.

Manning was a four year starter at third and second base at Christian Academy of Louisville. As a senior, Manning played for the seventh region in the Louisville All-Star game. Manning, a graduate of Christian Academy of Louisville, received his bachelor's degree in General Studies from IU Southeast in 2008.

Andrew Stanley begins his first season as a member of the IU Southeast coaching staff. His duties include working with the outfielders, recruiting and academic success.

Stanley inherits a senior-laden outfield group including All-Region XII and First-Team All-KIAC selection Ben Wyatt. Last season, Wyatt led the Grenadiers with a .408 batting average, 61 RBIs and a .976 fielding percentage.

Stanley is a native of Aurora, Ind. and attended South Dearborn High School where he played three years for the Knights' baseball team. He was also a member of the American Legion Region VII Championship team.

Stanley pursued his baseball career after high school at Marian College in Indianapolis. He later transferred to the University of Southern Indiana where he received a Bachelor's degree in journalism/communications.

Matt Vincent comes to IU Southeast to start his coaching career as the Grenadiers pitching coach, after a successful professional playing career.