April 17, 2016
GETTING TO KNOW: KEVIN TIDEY, NIKE BASEBALL CAMP DIRECTOR
Directing NIKE Baseball Camp at Davenport University is Kevin Tidey. Coach Tidey is in his fifth season at the helm of the Davenport baseball team and is in his eighth campaign with the program as he served as an assistant from 2009-2011. In just four years at the helm, Tidey has compiled a 164-61 record and has earned one Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference regular-season and two tournament championships. The 2015 season saw the baseball program reach new heights, including a 51-win season along with setting a new program record 24-game win streak. While clinching the second WHAC Tournament championship, the Panthers hosted the NAIA National Opening Round and went 3-1 to punch a ticket to the NAIA World Series for the first time in program history. As head coach, Tidey produced two WHAC Players of the Year and a WHAC Pitcher of the Year. Tidey served as an assistant at DU for three seasons under head coach Wes Cummings before taking the reins in 2012. He also served on the coaching staff at Sparta High School, where he helped build the Spartans program into one of the elite baseball powerhouses in the state of Michigan. At Sparta, his teams won four district titles, one regional championship and made one appearance in the quarterfinals. Tidey compiled a record of 66-11 in his last two seasons with the Spartans as they were ranked in the Top 5 in Division II each season. Tidey’s playing experience goes back to Grand Rapids JC and Aquinas College where he received all-conference and all-region honors at GRJC. Nike Baseball Camps is excited to host the third year of baseball camps in Michigan at Davenport University.
GETTING TO KNOW OUR DIRECTORS.
First and Last Name: Kevin Tidey - Director of Nike Baseball Camp
Location you direct: Davenport University Baseball
How long have you been coaching baseball? 20 years
How long have you been directing the Nike Baseball Camp? 3 years
Why did you start coaching baseball? I have had a passion for the game since I was young and playing Little League. I was always a student of the game and took my passion into coaching when I was done playing
Favorite Camp Drill or Activity at Camp? HITTING
What is the key to an incredible camp experience for you? I love kids that want to get better and listen to what you have to teach them. It is rewarding when they show improvement after you have taught them something
Your perfect camper on Day #1 arrives with what qualities? Open ears and a willingness to be coached and wants to learn.
Which college or pro Coach do you admire and why? I like a lot of coaches. Everyone has their own unique style, but I like player’s coaches. Players have to want to play for their coach.
Which college or pro player do you make it a point to watch play? I like good baseball…I like players that play the game hard all the time and play the game the right way.
What message would you like parents to understand prior to camp? As a parent myself, I would want to know that my son will get proper instruction and be supervised/safe. We do our best to make sure everyone gets instruction and supervision by having a camper to coach ratio above and beyond what is expected.
For more information on the camps this summer:
https://www.ussportscamps.com/baseball/nike/davenport-university1/