EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire athletics director Dan Schumacher has announced the hiring of Charles Bolden as the head baseball coach.
"We are excited to welcome Charles to our staff and his family to the community," said Schumacher. "We are all looking forward to having Blugold baseball back on campus."
Bolden comes to Eau Claire from NCAA Division III Illinois Tech where he was the associate coach. In addition to serving as the hitting, outfield and third base coach, Bolden coordinated recruiting and organized and ran team camps and clinics. Under his tutelage, the Scarlet Hawks offense set school single season records for homeruns and stolen bases and were ranked in the top four in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference for every offensive category.
Prior to coaching at Illinois Tech, Bolden was an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Chicago State where he served as the hitting, outfield and first base coach while also managing camps and recruiting.
"Thank you to Chancellor Schmidt, Vice Chancellor Colom and to the search committee for giving me this opportunity and believing in my vision," said Bolden. "This is a wonderful campus, close-knit athletic department and first-class group of faculty and administration."
In addition, Bolden founded and was president of the Midwest Havoc Travel Baseball Organization where he was the head pitching and hitting instructor while also served as the director of player development and baseball operations.
Bolden played for two seasons at the University of St. Francis for Gordie Gillespie, college baseball's all-time winningest coach.
He later played for the Frontier League's Rockford River Hawks (currently Rockford Aviators) and the Big Bend Cowboys (currently Alpine Cowboys of the Pecos League).
"My student-athletes will perform at a high level in the classroom and on the field," said Bolden. "They will serve their community, hold each other accountable and always be reminded of their wonderful opportunity at UW-Eau Claire."
The native of Oak Park, Ill. and his wife Claire, have a daughter, Charlotte (7 months).