June 10, 2009
(release courtesy of Kerry Kahl, Cornell College sports information)

MOUNT VERNON, IOWA . . . Adam Hadenfeldt has been named Cornell College’s new head baseball coach, Director of Athletics John Cochrane announced Wednesday.

Hadenfeldt, a 2006 Cornell graduate, has coached and taught the past three years at HLV Community School, holding head coaching positions in baseball and girls track. Hadenfeldt returns to his alma mater where he experienced team and individual success as a two-sport athlete.

“I know how successful baseball has been at Cornell,” said Hadenfeldt, a Solon native. “I was a part of it when we were competing for Iowa Conference championships. It really excites me to have the chance to do that again. I believe there is a lot of talent on the current roster and I want to help the program take that next step.”

Hadenfeldt takes over for the departed Frank Fishler, who compiled a 140-151 record in eight seasons at the helm. The Rams finished this past season 10-23 overall, 7-14 in IIAC play.

Hadenfeldt, a three-year starting outfielder with the Rams, was a member of three IIAC Tournament teams, including the program’s last postseason qualifier in 2004. He helped lead Cornell to a school-record 27 wins in 2003 and the No. 1 seed in the league tournament. The Rams averaged 20 wins a season during his four years as a player. Hadenfeldt posted a career .304 batting average with 102 hits in 122 games.

Hadenfeldt was an assistant coach on Cornell’s baseball staff in 2006.

“My first goal is to get back to the Iowa Conference Tournament,” Hadenfeldt said. “Once we get in the tournament, I want to start competing for championships. I know we can get back to that level.

“I’m going to be looking for kids who love to play baseball and love to compete. I want to bring in kids with successful backgrounds and I’d like to get into eastern Iowa.”

Hadenfeldt earned four varsity letters in football at Cornell, starting two seasons at quarterback and one at linebacker. He was team captain and Offensive Most Valuable Player his senior season. Hadenfeldt was named Cornell’s Paul K. Scott Senior Male Athlete of the Year in 2005.

“Adam brings a versatile knowledge base to our athletic program, which is very valuable,” Cochrane said. “He has a great combination of personal skills, a rapport with student-athletes and the ability to lead. He is really going to instill a great deal of pride and responsibility to our baseball program. Adam has some very high goals and I’m confident we can reach these. He understands what it takes to be successful.”

Hadenfeldt earned a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, American and World History and Physical Education in 2006.

Hadenfeldt carried a 32-22 record into his third season as head baseball coach at HLV, where he’s guided the Warriors to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in 12 years. HLV obtained its first ever state ranking in 2007 and was a district finalist in 2008. Hadenfeldt has coached 10 all-conference players and two all-staters in his short time there.

Hadenfeldt has been assistant football coach at HLV since 2006, working as defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator. The Warriors qualified for the playoffs three consecutive years, including a trip to the state semifinals in 2006. Hadenfeldt has coached multiple state qualifiers in three years as head girls track coach. He’s also taught social studies at HLV for three years.

From 2003-06, Hadenfeldt was assistant baseball and wrestling coach at Solon High School. The Spartan baseball team reached the substate final twice during that time.

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