About Us

FOUNDER & CEO

Ross has 20+ years of coaching experience under his belt. Spending most of his adult life in and around the game of baseball, Ross has mentored a countless number of baseball players on to the collegiate and professional ranks. Known for his high-energy and passion, Ross prides himself in motivating young men to reach their potential, both on and off the field.

During his playing career, Ross was a 3-year starter and captain who played SS/RHP for Augustana University. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers after his junior season. He transferred his senior year to Kansas State University where he was elected as a team captain and pitched on Friday nights for the Wildcats. Ross was drafted and signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers following his senior campaign where he played parts of two seasons in the Dodgers' farm system. 

Since 2006, Ross has coached and instructed baseball in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He spent the majority of his time as a coach at the Parish Episcopal School in Dallas and with DBAT Elite, in the summers. In 2013, he founded College Recruit Prep, a company dedicated to educating and assisting baseball players through the ever-changing college recruiting process. Ross has an entrepreneurial spirit with a true love for the game of baseball. He also hosts the popular Baseball Forward Podcast.

FOUNDER & CHIEF CONTRIBUTOR

Jim Schwanke is a Certified Major League Baseball Player Agent with decades of experience. Jim has recruited, coached, and/or represented over 20 All-Americans, 13 1st Round MLB Draft selections, and over 30 Major League players. He has worked for agencies that have secured over $1 billion in signing bonuses and contracts for clients, advising amateurs selected as high as 3, 4, 7 and 10th in the First Year Player Draft.

Prior to working as an agent, Jim coached at Oklahoma State University and LSU. His teams made six trips to the College World Series and Jim had a hand in recruiting and/or coaching the 1996, 1997, and 2000 NCAA National Champions. His teams set numerous records including a 77 consecutive game home run hitting streak that produced an NCAA record 188 bombs hit in 1997.

Since moving to Dallas in 2000, Jim has been involved in coaching select baseball teams. His clubs have won numerous age group titles and have competed in national showcases. Jim’s playing career included a state title in high school at Tucson Sahuaro, a NJCAA National Championship at Yavapai, and a NCAA title at Arizona. He was drafted by the California Angels but injuries at Arizona ended his career. Jim is a member of the Yavapai Junior College Hall of Fame and holds a BS degree in Marketing and MS degree in Adult Education from Oklahoma State University.

CONTRIBUTOR

Gary Ward is one of the most celebrated and accomplished coaches in college baseball history. During his time at Oklahoma State in the 1980s, Ward coached some of the top players in college baseball history, which included 10 All-Americans. The Cowboys were the second-winningest D1 program during the decade with a .789 winning percentage.

In 19 seasons in Stillwater, Ward compiled a record of 953-313-1 and led OSU to 10 College World Series appearances and 3 NCAA runner-up finishes. Under Ward's direction, OSU won a record 16 consecutive Big Eight Conference titles from 1981-96, and the Cowboys made an NCAA record seven-straight College World Series appearances from 1981-87.

Prior to OSU, Ward spent seven successful seasons at Yavapai Junior College in Prescott, Ariz., where he won national championships in 1975 and 1977 and recorded nearly 250 career wins.

Coach Ward spent two seasons as head coach of his alma mater, New Mexico State, in 2001 and 2002, and he led the Aggies to an NCAA Regional in '02.

Ward has a career record of 1,022-361-1 in 21 seasons as a DI head coach, with his .739 winning percentage ranking 11th on the NCAA's all-time DI head coaching list. Ward is a member of the OSU '04 and College Baseball Hall of Fame '08. His jersey #20 is one of four retired by OSU Baseball.