Eastern Illinois University Athletics

Years at EIU: 3rd
Alma Mater: Missouri State, 2010
 
Courtwright joined Eastern Illinois head coach Jason Anderson’s staff in August of 2015. Courtwright comes to EIU following a one-year stint as assistant head coach at Rend Lake College, primarily working as the hitting and infield instructor as well as the recruiting coordinator.

Curt Courtwright enters his third year as a volunteer assistant for the Eastern Illinois baseball program during the 2018 season.

During the 2017 season, the Panthers were the most proficient team in turning double plays. As a team, the Panthers turned 61 double plays which was the top mark in the OVC and just one shy from tying the nation-lead of 62. Eastern Illinois averaged 1.09 double plays per game which also topped the OVC and ranked seventh in the NCAA.

Splitting time between working with the infielders and the hitters during the 2017 season, Courtwright helped the Panthers better power hitting teams in the country. The Panthers finished fourth in the NCAA in home runs and home runs per game. Eastern Illinois also finished within the top-25 in slugging percentage and the top-40 in total triples in the NCAA.

In his first year, during the 2016 season, Eastern Illinois turned 48 double plays on defense, which was tied for second in the OVC.

A native of Lincoln, Illinois, Courtwright comes to EIU after having competed at various levels of baseball. During his four-year career playing at Missouri State, Courtwright appeared in 158 games for the Bears and holds the record at MSU for most assists in a game. Courtwright played for the Glens Falls Golden Eagles in the New York Collegiate Baseball League and was named team MVP in 2008. In 2010, he saw some time on the professional level as he was a member of the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League.

After his time with the Grizzlies, Courtwright began his coaching career. Courtwright worked as a White Sox and Elite Baseball Training Instructor prior to moving back home to become the head coach at Lincoln Community High School. Following his time at LCHS, he served as the hitting and infield coach for the Morehead City Marlins of the Coastal Plains League. Before coming to EIU, Courtwright was an assistant coach at Rend Lake College in 2014. He is expected to work primarily with the infielders and hitters while at EIU.

Courtwright completed his undergraduate studies at Missouri State in 2010, where he earned his degree in Public Relations with a minor in Business.