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 “It’s kind of a dream job for me,” said Kellar, a native of
Colfax, Illinois. “I grew up going to ISU baseball camps and have
always followed the teams, and with my dad, sister and grandfather
all going to ISU and playing sports, I’m just very excited to be
coming in to try and build on a great tradition.”
Kellar comes to ISU from Siena College, where he had served as an
assistant coach for three seasons, including the past two as
pitching coach and recruiting coordinator.
“Having coached under the legendary (Siena coach) Tony Rossi,
Michael assumed many duties such as recruiting, organizing camps,
working with the strength and conditioning staff, planning practice,
and, of course, handling a pitching staff,” Durkac said. “It is
obvious that Michael has the knowledge, the experience, and the
personality to be a top-flight pitching coach in the Missouri Valley
Conference. I know our pitchers will be excited to work with Michael
each day, and I am looking forward to adding him to the staff.”
Kellar starred at Niagara from 2008-09, and was a team captain and
All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference selection as a senior, when
he posted a 6-1 record against MAAC competition and a team-leading
3.56 ERA in league play. Kellar signed with the Evansville Otters of
the Frontier League in 2010, but suffered a career-ending shoulder
injury in spring training that year.
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Kellar previously played for two years at Lake Land College, where
he was an academic all-conference selection, prior to his time at
Niagara. He was an all-state selection and four-time all-conference
honoree as a member of the Colfax Ridgeview High School baseball
team.
Kellar comes from a family with ISU roots. Both his father, Rodney
Kellar, and grandfather, Leon Kellar, are former members of the
Redbird football team. His sister, Lauren Kellar, is a former member
of the ISU softball team.
Michael Kellar earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Niagara
in 2009. He completed work on a master’s degree in sports management
in 2012.
[Text received; MATT WING, ILLINOIS
STATE UNIVERSITY]
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