When you ask Scott Bickel what brought him to IUPUC, he’ll tell you he embraced an opportunity to make history.
While he’s always had a passion for baseball, and dreamed of a chance like this, life took him in several different directions before everything fell into place.
Coach Bickel is a former Indiana All-State Pitcher from Huntington, Indiana, who played collegiately for the University of Saint Francis (USF). In 2011, he graduated with a degree in secondary education for mathematics and mild intervention.
He never became a math teacher, but he’s come close.
First, however, he worked in landscaping and then had success with Fastenal, an industrial supply company that moved him to Colorado where he became part of its management team.
In his five years in Colorado, Bickel moved to Roto-Rooter, then started his own business, and worked for various other companies. More importantly, he met his wife, Allie.
When they returned to Indiana, the plan, once again, was to become a math teacher and coach (he volunteered as a hitting coach for his alma mater USF). But the day before he started teaching, he got an opportunity to coach for a community college baseball program. Another bend in the road.
Ivy Tech Fort Wayne was starting its second season and Bickel couldn’t pass up the chance to work with Lance Hershberger. “He’s probably forgotten more baseball than I know! It was a chance to learn from the best.”
Bickel learned a lot in his four years at Ivy Tech. In addition, he earned his master's degree in athletic administration and coaching from Liberty University in December 2021. He was ready for a new opportunity when he learned IUPUC was starting an athletics program.
Though he’d lived in Indiana most of his life, Bickel had never been to Columbus. He was quickly impressed with the town, the people, IUPUC and the local athletic facilities. Plus, there just aren’t many opportunities to start a collegiate program from scratch.
Originally hired as an assistant coach, Athletic Director Zach McClellan promoted him to head coach in July 2022. In just two and a half months, they recruited 44 players to the Crimson Pride’s inaugural baseball program.
“I don’t have a sales pitch,” Bickel explained. “I’m just very upfront and honest. If they put their trust in me, I’ll help them become better student athletes and better people.”
And he’s serious about that. While his official title is head coach, the teacher in Bickel is still apparent. For example, his team conducts study tables to emphasize the importance of academics, and they participate in volunteer events to give back to the community.
“I guarantee my players nothing but a chance to try out for a position, and to learn and grow up with the baseball team,” he said. “And, at the same time, we’re making history.”