Brian Salapatek joined the Kougar family as Assistant Softball Coach for Head Coach Eric Simmons in 2021-2022.  Coach Salapatek graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1992 with a BS in Electrical Engineering where he was a member of the baseball team for one season and a member of the bowling team for 4 years. In addition, he brings a variety of previous athletics and coaching experiences including coaching Baseball at Aurora Central Catholic High School and as an Athletics Director at St. Mary’s School in Sycamore. Coach has also spent significant time as a head coach of softball at various levels at Eisenhower High School, Argo High School and Sycamore High School.  Coach Salapatek has also been very involved with travel/club programs over the years in the Kishwaukee College area and near Tinley Park, Illinois.  He started coaching girls’ softball in 1991 and has been coaching for over 20+ years as a high school coach at every level as well as starting, running, and coaching two 16U travel programs (Rabble Rousers 1995-2003 and Whipper Snappers 2004-2008). In 1999 the Rabble-Rousers won the USSSA National Championship, and they were ranked #1 in state for 1999, 2002, and 2003 seasons. In 2004 with the move to Cortland Brian started the Whipper Snappers and in 2006 placed 5^th at USSSA Nationals (Ranked #1 in the state).

Brian currently lives in Cortland where he and his wife Julie have 5 children, two sons (Andrew, Zachery) and three daughters (Stephanie, Samantha, Alexis).