John Wagle comes to Dominican University from North Park University to serve as an assistant coach under Steve Hardman, the Stars’ first-year head coach. Wagle spent two seasons with the Vikings as an assistant coach working with the North Park infielders and outfielders while serving as an assistant hitting instructor. During his tenure, the Vikings posted an overall record of 58-27, going 30-13 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) and clinching a share of the 2011 regular season CCIW title.
As a player, Wagle graduated from Augustana College in 2009 where he shined for those Vikings as a three-time All-CCIW selection, two-time American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-Region Selection and in 2008 garnered ABCA Division III All-America honors. Wagle’s 11 home runs in 2008 is the Augustana single-season record. He also tied the program’s single-season RBI record with 60 that season and ranks in the top ten in the program in career at-bats (653), hits (243), triples (12), doubles (43), home runs (17), runs scored (142), batting average (.372) and stolen bases (38) and is the program’s career leader in RBI with 154 runs batted in.
After his collegiate playing career, Wagle went on to play professionally, signing on with four teams including the Rockford Riverhawks and Joliet Slammers. As a rookie with the Riverhawks in 2010, Wagle posted a .326 batting average in 51 games. A left-hand hitter, Wagle roped 17 extra-base hits including 13 doubles while driving in 15 runs and scoring 28.
