Ottawa University

Coach Backhaus is in his first season as a graduate assistant with the OU baseball program.

Backhaus was a four year letter winner at NCAA Division II William Jewell College where he played for former Brave All-American Mike Stockton. While at WJC he was a three-time winner of the Idaho Challenge. The Idaho Challenge is given to a player that proves they are physically and mentally tough. Backhaus was a member of the 800 and 1000 pound club and was recipient of the R.E. “Dad” Bowles Scholarship Award. The scholarship is given to the male athlete that exemplifies outstanding qualities of sportsmanship, perseverance, and dedication to a sport. He excelled in the classroom as well and was a six-time scholar athlete.

Backhaus helped with baseball camps at WJC. In the summer of 2010, he assisted WJC assistant coach Jesse McSpadden with the William Jewell Baseball Summer Camp. At the camp, he helped the campers with not only develop their skills but he helped them become better teammates. From 2009 to 2012 Backhaus helped with YMCA Challenger Camp at WJC where helped children with physical disabilities learn to play the game of baseball.

He graduated from WJC in the spring of 2012 with a bachelors of arts in physical education. Backhaus received his secondary education teaching license.