Mike Mihalik has been named Emmaus High School's new Varsity Baseball Coach.

The East Penn School District Board of Directors unanimously approved Mihalik at Monday night's meeting. He takes over the position vacated with the retirement of John Schreiner.

Mihalik, who is also a science teacher and current golf coach at Emmaus, has extensive playing and coaching experience at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.

"In appointing Mike Mihalik as our new baseball coach, the search advisory committee sought a candidate who possessed the coaching ability and personal qualities needed to build upon the prominence and success established by our previous coach, John Schreiner," said Emmaus athletic director Dennis Ramella in a press release. "As a highly successful faculty member, we felt Mike was also tuned in to our department philosophy of students first, winning second. I have no doubt Mike will be embraced by the Emmaus baseball community and put his own stamp on the program."

After a stellar career at Parkland where he was a three-time letter-winner, Mihalik went on to play at the University of Delaware where he earned four varsity letters, was selected as the Blue Hen Pitcher of the Year (2002, 2003) and earned program recognition as the senior letter-winner with the highest GPA and the Perry Burkett Triple Play Award for team leadership (2004).

During his senior year, Mihalik was also chosen as Delaware's co-captain. Following his collegiate career, Mihalik was selected in the 40th round of the MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies and played for three different affiliates (Clearwater Threshers, Batavia Muckdogs and Gulf Coast Phillies) where he was coached by Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt and former Phillies manager, Charlie Manuel. After his playing career he served as a JV coach and then pitching coach at Southern Lehigh High School.