SIUE

Joe Kelch joined SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons’ staff as a volunteer assistant in September 2016 following a four-year playing career at Illinois State.

At SIUE, Kelch will assist with infield defense as well as work with Cougar hitters.

As a player, the native of Peoria, Illinois, played in 163 games for the Redbirds making 136 career starts primarily as a second baseman. Kelch finished with a career batting average of .289 while racking up 152 hits and 63 RBIs in his Redbird career.

Kelch was an All-Missouri Valley Conference selection following his junior year where he hit a career-best .338 while adding eight doubles, four home runs and 24 RBIs.

He received a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State in 2016.