Coach Nick Birkey

Nick Birkey is entering his first year as the Head Golf Coach for the Red Devils program at Eureka College.

Birkey's responsibilities include everyday administrative responsibilities and organization. He also works day-in and day-out with the players in practices on the course, individual workouts, and in the weight room. Coach Birkey will also coordinate recruiting, player development, and maintaining a high-level of excellence within the Red Devils Golf program.

Coach Birkey became a part of Eureka College Athletic Department coaching staff after graduating from Olivet Nazarene University and deciding to continue to coach basketball at the collegiate level. At the same time, Athletics Director Sandy Schuster asked Coach Birkey if he would like to coach the up-and-coming golf team, and Birkey gladly accepted. Birkey's interest in coaching golf at the collegiate level comes from an extreme passion and love for the game. He also fully appreciates the skill of the college game and what it demands.

Birkey comes from a strong line of Olivet basketball coaches. He studied under and coached with one the finest NAIA Division 1 coach's, Ralph Hodge. Coach Hodge has accumulated over 575 wins in 28 years. Birkey has learned much and taken more from his experience at ONU over the last 4 years, mainly taking from the Tigers success making the NAIA National Tournament the past two seasons and reaching the Elite Eight in 2006. Also, Coach Birkey has much experience in the game of golf working for and assisting the Golf Pro at SouthSide Country Club in Decatur, IL in years past. Birkey also served as the Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director of ONU for the past two years.

Besides his playing experience and current coaching position, Coach Birkey also was the ONU Junior Varsity Head Coach last season and was asked to do many of the same things he will be expected to do at Eureka. Birkey has helped at many camps including the University of Illinois, numerous Olivet Nazarene basketball camps, and Mount Zion High School camps. He also has been involved in youth golf instruction during summer camps.

Birkey will also be the Assistant Men's Basketball Coach here at Eureka College. Coach Birkey graduated with his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Sports Management from Olivet Nazarene University in May 2007.

nbirkey@eureka.edu