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Leathernecks Proudly Embrace Military Tradition

WIU Baseball has a longstanding tradition of fall PT sessions with the University’s ROTC program.

MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois' head baseball coach Ryan Brownlee is the proud son of a Marine so it only fits that he would lead a team nicknamed the Leathernecks - another term for a member of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Since arriving in Macomb in 2012, Brownlee has forged a relationship with the University's 
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program that has led to several inspiring talks from former military personnel as well as yearly training sessions between the baseball team and ROTC.

"My second year here, we did a military appreciation game and [Master Sergeant] Robertson (who has since moved on) asked if he could talk to our team," said Brownlee. "He talked about his platoon in Afghanistan and how much teamwork meant to them in keeping their platoon alive.  He mentioned how much their platoon would hang out with each other outside of their assigned duties, and the whole message hit home with me and what we try to do with our program." 

That first connection opened the door for a two-day training session that including physical training with ROTC cadets and "The Murph" – a workout named in honor of Michael P. Murphy, a Navy SEAL killed in the line of duty. This past week, the two met again inside Hanson Field for a 6 a.m. 

"I originally had not planned on doing it this year, so I am grateful for Cadet Jason Lunstrum reaching out to me. I have the utmost respect for the military and their service to the United States." 

 
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