| 50+ Years of Professional Baseball Experience
| 50+ Years of Professional Baseball Experience
With Illinois Premier the emphasis is on team and player development. In order to accomplish this goal successfully, the coaches and instructors play a tremendously important role. The combination of staff and instructors for Illinois Premier consists of ex major league and minor league players, MLB scouts, minor league managers, hall of fame high school coaches, league presidents, and many more. All of these individuals have aligned interests in an attempt to make Illinois Premier the best possible experience for every family who commits to the program.
Chris Pack | PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Chris is the President and Director of Operations for Baseball Institute and the Quarry Fieldhouse. Chris is also a founder of Illinois Premier Baseball. He played at Villanova and the University of Illinois. Chris signed with the Florida Marlins after his college career. He pitched for the Marlins organization, the Diamondbacks organization, and with the Joliet Slammers. Chris has been instrumental in baseball development for youth, college, and professional athletes over the past 15+ years.
ERIK LIS | DIRECTOR & HEAD OF BASEBALL OPERATIONS
Erik is one of the founders of Baseball Institute and Illinois Premier Baseball. He played at Evansville University for 3 years and was a 3X All MVC Award Winner. Erik was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 9th Round and played 6+ years of professional baseball, making it through the AAA Level. Erik has been involved in youth development and coaching for over 15 years where he has coached for the Windy City Thunderbolts and has been a staple at the high school level for Illinois Premier Baseball.
RYAN CURRY | DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Downers Grove South Alum and 4 year starter at Bradley University (2003-2007). Ryan was drafted by the Miami Marlins in 2007 in the 21st round and played professional baseball from 2007-2012. Won best 2nd basemen in AA in 2010 and was voted within the organization as the best 2B in the system. Ryan is a member of the DGS and Bradley University Athletic Hall of Fames. He has been involved with youth baseball and player development since 2007 and has had over 200 players who have moved on to play at the college and/or professional levels.
LISA DUFFNER | DIRECTOR & HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
Lisa brings extensive baseball experience to Illinois Premier having served as a founder, board member, or significant contributor for over 20 years for various suburban baseball organizations in and around the Chicagoland Area, including over 4 years as a division director for the I-80 travel league (now the Illinois Travel Baseball League) overseeing over 40 youth travel baseball teams under her direction.
TODD JONES | LEAD DIRECTOR - Premier West Baseball
Josh Altman | DIRECTOR & LEAD INSTRUCTOR
RON BIGA | DIRECTOR & LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Ron Biga is a 1985 graduate of St. Rita High school , where he was 2 time All-Catholic league, All Area, All-State, and All-American. Finished he playing career at St. Xavier University, He played professionally in Mexico, then started his coaching career at Triton College, as well as the amateur powerhouse Prairie Gravel, where he won 2 National Championship. He is a member of the Chicago Suburban League Hall of Fame.
Ron began his professional coaching career with the Sioux City Explorers in 2006 and 2007. He joined the coaching staff of the Southern Illinois Miners 2008 -2010 before becoming a coach and VP of Baseball Operations for the inaugural Joliet Slammers. The Slammers won the Frontier League Championship in 2011 and Ron stayed on through 2012. In 2013, he was named the manager of the Windy City Thunderbolts and became the team’s winningest manager until he retired in 2018. He also worked for the Arizona Diamondback in Professional Scouting Department. He returned to baseball to rejoin the Southern Illinois Miners coaching staff for the 2021 season and consulted for the Ottawa Titans in 2022 and 2023.
MATT BOTTCHER | LEAD INSTRUCTOR
STEVE HEILENBACH | INSTRUCTOR & COACH
KEVIN KACZMARSKI | LEAD INSTRUCTOR
Kevin played CF at The University of Evansville. 5x All-American, Joe Carter Player of the Year, and in 2015 led the Nation in hitting with a .465 BA. Kevin played 5 professional seasons with the New York Mets and made his MLB debut June 24th , 2018 at Citi Field against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kevin coached junior varsity baseball at Prairie Ridge High School in 2021 and has been involved with youth development for the past 8 years.
Kevin’s mission: Molding athletes into the best baseball players they can be, as well as helping them learn the game of life through baseball.
JORDAN MIKOLAJEWSKI | INSTRUCTOR & COACH
JAKE SUCHOR | INSTRUCTOR & COACH
Graduated from Lockport Township High school in 2017. Pitched and played outfield for Joliet Junior college and University of St. Francis (Joliet). 5th season as Illinois Premier high school coach as well as the manager of the Quarry Fieldhouse and Baseball Institute.
MICHAEL SCLAFANI | INSTRUCTOR & COACH
Montini Catholic state champion and all state player. 4 year starting pitcher at Lewis University. Coached Illinois Premier 13u through high school. Current 14u head coach.