Coach Klostermann rounds out coaching staff

Head Cougar Baseball Coach Conner Klostermann finalized his baseball staff in August, right before students arrived for the fall semester. Daulton Vanderloo and Jakob Kirman joined the coaching staff, each specializing in different skill sets to benefit Klostermann's squad.

Vanderloo was born and raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and he never strayed too far from the area. Growing up as an infielder and pitcher, he first attended Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb., before transferring to Northern State University to continue his career. It was at Northern that he fully transitioned to pitching. The love of the game led him to coaching, a role he held for six years before joining Northeast Iowa Community College with Renner Post 307.

"As I entered college," Vanderloo said, "I'd realized that I love the game of baseball too much to ever leave it. Having that feeling, I have always wanted to be on a baseball field, whether it's as a player or as a coach."

Kirman is a Dubuque County native and a Dubuque Senior High School graduate. Like Vanderloo, he always had ties to the game of baseball. After earning All-State honors in high school, he began his career at Ellsworth Community College before finishing at Clarke University. Kirman had an illustrious career while there, including becoming the program's all-time leader in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched.

He also double majored in business finance and sports management at Clarke, which led him to open Xtreme Strength and Sports Performance in Dubuque. His business focuses on athletic training for youth, collegiate and professional athletes.

"I feel fortunate to spend each day helping athletes develop their skills and pursue their goals," Kirman said. "Having seen what it takes to succeed at both the collegiate and professional levels, I aim to motivate and guide Cougar baseball players at NICC and beyond."

Vanderloo will focus on pitching development while Kirman will handle strength and conditioning. Although they specialize in different aspects of the game, they both want to help establish a foundation and a culture for the new NICC program.

"I was a part of the staff that recruited Daulton at Northern State," Coach Klostermann said, "and you won't find a more driven individual who truly wants what is best for each student-athlete. Coach Kirman is someone I have known for a long time and is a very well known name locally in Dubuque County. His playing career at Clarke speaks for itself. His professional resume is equally impressive, working with several college and professional athletes at Xtreme Strength. Both of these coaches will be game changers for us to help provide the level of development and attention to detail we are looking for."

For many who have played the game of baseball, they often fall in love with the sport. Kirman is excited to have the chance to get back into the dugout, but also to get to know each student-athlete.

"I value learning each athlete's story," Kirman said, "why they chose NICC and what they hope to gain from their experience. My goal is to help these players take the next step in their development, both on and off the field."

The fall scrimmage schedule is wrapping up for the Cougar baseball program, but the coaching staff will keep their team training all winter before the regular season starts in February.

Stay up-to-date with NICC Athletics at niccathletics.com.