Skyhawk Baseball Coaches
Skyhawk Baseball Coaches
Head Coach Rene Valdez
Head Coach Rene Valdez begins his fifth season as head of Sauk Valley Community College’s baseball program. Valdez emphasizes team unity, striving to perfect the fundamentals of the game, and professionalism from all his players all the time, on and off the field. Valdez is also head coach of the Rockford Foresters Collegiate Summer League, who won the Great Plaines Summer League World Series in their inaugural season. Valdez started as assistant coach at Sauk in 2006-07, working with infielders, hitters, and conditioning. As a player, he played first base for the 2000 Skyhawks that captured sectional and regional crown and went on to compete in the NJCAA state championships. That year, Valdez was voted team captain, won All-Conference honors, and was named a Most Valuable Player at the NJCAA Regional Tournament.
A native of Tucson, Arizona Valdez transferred to Saint Louis Community College in Florissant Valley, Missouri, where he played first base and was a team captain. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Behavioral Science from National-Louis University, and is finishing his master’s degree in Organizational Management with an emphasis in leadership. Valdez resides in Dixon with his wife Jayna and daughters Presley and Oliviah.
Assistant Coach Noel Aponte
Noel Aponte was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. In high school, he played numerous sports, receiving many awards for his talents. Aponte continued his education at Triton College and joined the US Navy, serving 21 years after receiving an honorable discharge.
As a coach, Aponte has coached various sports in the last 12 years, concentrating on enhancing young adults in personal growth as a person. He emphasizes team unity, fundamentals, mental stability and discipline in the game for athletes. Aponte resides in Sterling with his wife Olivia and their three children, Sophia, Priscilla, and Noel Jr.
Assistant Coach Eric McDermott
Former Skyhawk pitcher Eric McDermott is on his second season as Skyhawks’ volunteer assistant baseball coach. McDermott will help with the pitchers and focus on their mental approach to the game on and off the field.
McDermott pitched for the Skyhawks in 1996 and 1997, then transferred to Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida, where he played in the Florida Sun Conference All-Star game two consecutive years.
McDermott earned a bachelor’s degree from Flagler College in 1999 and a Master’s in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Elmhurst College in 2006. He resides in St. Charles with his wife Maureen and their two children.
