QUINCY, Ill. – Adams County native and Quincy University Head Baseball Coach Joshua Rabe has been appointed as the next leader for the QU athletic program.
Rabe will immediately assume the role of Associate Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and work alongside Interim Athletic Director Phil Conover until June 1, 2021. At that time, Rabe will become the permanent Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.
“Josh Rabe is now entering the next phase of an outstanding career at Quincy University,” said Brian McGee, PhD, QU president. “For over a decade, QU baseball teams under Josh’s leadership have excelled academically and athletically. His teams have succeeded both on and off the field, and Josh’s students, like Josh, have demonstrated character and integrity. As Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, he will have an even greater impact at QU, with the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of student-athletes in over 20 sports.”
“Quincy University and Quincy University Athletics have played a vital role in the Quincy Community and in West Central Illinois by providing a great education and great athletic experiences for thousands of young adults, both past and present,” said Rabe. “We have tremendous momentum both as a University and an Athletic Department. I look forward to building on the foundation created by the generations of student-athletes who have loved this place, competed at the highest level, had life-changing experiences, and graduated from this great university.”
“The bottom line is that we will succeed in the classroom and in competition. We will work hard, play by the rules, and treat others with dignity and respect. And we always will live out our Franciscan values,” said Rabe.
Rabe earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Quincy University. After a standout high school and collegiate baseball career at Quincy University, Rabe went on to play professional baseball, including parts of two seasons with the Minnesota Twins. In 2008 he began his coaching career as the head assistant baseball coach for St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, IN. He returned home to Quincy University in 2010 to accept the role of Head Baseball Coach for his alma mater.
Under Rabe’s leadership, the QU Baseball Hawks have won four GLVC championships and appeared in the NCAA tournament six times. In 2017, QU baseball prevailed as the Midwest Region Champion and appeared in the NCAA Division II World Series. Rabe was the 2015 GLVC Coach of the Year and the 2017 Region Coach of the Year. He has coached 58 all-conference players, 24 all-region players, and six All-American players. In addition, 11 players have signed professional baseball contracts during Rabe’s tenure as the Head Baseball Coach at QU.
“I have had the pleasure of watching Josh grow up in rural Adams County and was able to follow his career through high school, college and major league baseball,” said Phil Conover, Interim Athletic Director and President Emeritus at QU. “I look forward to working with Josh in the next few months as we continue to take QU Athletics to the next level.”
Rabe has been a leader within the QU Athletic Department for the past 10 years including serving on hiring committees for several head coaching positions. He chaired the NCAA Division II Coaches Committee for the Midwest Region and was a member of the NCAA Division II Baseball Midwest Regional Advisory Committee.
The news of Rabe’s appointment already is generating praise for his leadership and ability.
“The news of Josh Rabe as the new Athletic Director could not have come at a better time,” said Chad Hammons ’99, a member of the QU Athletics Hall of Fame and a former Rabe teammate. “As a QU alumnus and former baseball player, I take great pride in the university. Josh is simply the best person for the job. It isn’t often a college athletic program can bring in a former athlete, Hall of Famer, and one of Quincy’s own to fill a leadership role. This announcement will echo throughout the Quincy community and inspire the university’s alumni. We will be ready to usher in a new era of QU Athletics and support Josh Rabe at the helm.”
The praise hasn’t just come from those with ties to QU.
“Everyone has talent. What you do with that talent is up to you,” said Justin Morneau, a Minnesota Twins first baseman and former American League MVP. “Hard work, discipline and determination can be the difference in reaching the next level or not. Josh Rabe reached the top level in baseball because he possesses these qualities. He will continue to learn and do his best to help QU succeed.”
Rabe’s lifelong commitment to Adams County and the tri-states is clear. “Josh and Debby Rabe live with their three children in Mendon, a place where Josh has deep roots,” said McGee. “You will never meet a more delightful family. QU fans will enjoy visiting with these diehard Hawks at games throughout the year.”
