New Lenox native Pat Flynn has signed a national letter of intent to continue his education and baseball playing career at Illinois State University.
"We are extremely pleased to bring an athlete of Pats caliber into our program," Illinois State head coach Jeff Stewart said. He is someone we recruited for quite some and time and its a great feeling to know that hes finally a Redbird.
A strong, athletic outfielder who led Providence High School to national prominence in the USA Today high school polls, Flynn will most likely forge his mark with the Redbirds at the third base position vacated by the graduation of Seth Von Behren.
Pat has all of the tools to be successful at this level, Stewart said. Hes an outfielder by trade, however, we believe hes got the arm strength, foot speed and overall athletic ability to play third base.
A two-time all-state selection, Flynn was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 30th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Amateur draft after a stellar senior campaign in which he hit .441 with six home runs, eight triples, 13 doubles and 55 runs batted in.
In addition to wielding a bat with considerable pop, Flynn displayed a selective eye at plate, striking out only three times in 102 at bats.
Flynn also made a name for himself on the gridiron, earning all-state and Catholic Metro League Offensive Player of the Year honors as a quarterback for Providence, a traditional state power in high school football.
Flynn joins a recruiting class which already includes Jeremy Accardo, Matt Clark, Heath Heiberger, Bobby Rooney, Todd Stein and Kyle Zaleski.
