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Nicollerat Chosen for MHSBCA Hall of Fame

SLUH baseball coach Steve Nicollerat has been nominated and chosen as one of this year’s inductees into the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association (MHSBCA) Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place at the association’s annual convention on Saturday, January 23rd in Jefferson City.

"Steve has developed a very competitive, highly respected, and successful baseball program here at SLUH," says Scott Gilbert, B-team baseball coach. "It has been an honor to have played for him and to coach with him."

Throughout Nicollerat’s 30-year tenure as baseball coach, the Jr. Billikens have achieved a high level of success. Some of their accomplishments include:

- Winning Districts 22 times
- Reaching the Final Eight 12 times
- Appearing in the Final Four 3 times
- Ranking in the Top 15 at least 20 of the past 30 years

Nicollerat marks success, however, in the way his players have conducted themselves on the field and for their distinct level of consistency over the years. Moreover, he defines the greatest highlight of his career not in terms of records or statistics, but in terms of people.

“I have worked with some of the nicest people you can imagine,” he says. “Knowing I have been involved with a lot of good, sound, quality people has been the best part.”

Nicollerat, who teaches computer science at SLUH, is also quick to recognize the support he has received.

“I’ve really been blessed with some great assistant coaches,” he says. “Overall, I appreciate the opportunity to coach here. SLUH has been very supportive of our program.”

“Steve is an absolute asset for SLUH and the baseball community,” says Tom Zinselmeyer, assistant varsity baseball coach. “His greatest skill as a coach is not only to teach fundamental baseball, but to use the game of baseball to help players grow in life. In a unique and compassionate way, Steve helps players learn from both their successes and failures on the field so that they become better people off the field.”

“Coach Nicollerat is a great guy,” says junior Sasha Keubel, who plays on the baseball team. “In addition to being an excellent coach, he emphasizes life lessons and the growth of the whole person.”

In terms of his coaching philosophy, Nicollerat has always been a proponent of preparation. “I like to run a really good practice. I enjoy teaching and preparing, and emphasizing to our guys that we learn about ourselves through our successes, as well as our failures and disappointments.”

Personally, Nicollerat feels a sense of accomplishment in realizing he hasn’t figured it all out. As a result, he says, “I am constantly trying to learn something and get better.”

[>>>CLICK HERE TO READ NICOLLERAT'S ARTICLE IN THE ST. LOUIS REVIEW](http://stlouisreview.com/article/2010-01-28/st-louis-university-h)