CHICAGO, Ill. -- After eleven seasons as Associate Head Coach of North Park Baseball, Coach Jake Upwood has accepted a position as the Head Coach of the Pacific University Boxers' baseball program in Forest Grove, Oregon.

"We are all really excited for Jake," said North Park Head Baseball Coach Luke Johnson. Jake's been a loyal assistant to me for over a decade which I appreciate immeasurably.   He has helped our program develop a number of top-notch players – specifically, his daily work with our pitchers has helped several guys enter the all-time record book at NPU for a number of statistical categories.  We've had a pretty good history of playing well down the stretch and a lot of that is due to Jake's work on scouting, game planning, and in-game adjustments.  We will miss his expertise on the field and in the weightroom.  Watching his next career step unfold will be fun.  The NWC is a great conference, very similar in lots of ways to the CCIW, and Jake is up to the challenge."  

In his eleven years developing the North Park pitching staff, Upwood guided eight Viking hurlers to All-Conference status, including recent Player of the Year Bobby Bartlett in 2024. The 2024 Viking staff played a significant role in a 2024 league co-title for NPU Baseball as the staff boasted the CCIW's second-best ERA (3.36) and batting average against (.259).

"I am so grateful to North Park University and the Viking family," said Upwood. "The lessons I've learned and the people I've had a chance to work with will have a lasting impact on me and my career. The importance of developing quality young men capable of so much is something I will take with me to my new role at Pacific University. It saddens me to say goodbye to the Viking Baseball players and coaches but I know that they understand and wish me nothing but the best. I am looking forward to the next step in my career and continuing the Boxer baseball program's success."

A search for the open coaching position with NPU Baseball is currently underway.