This feature is part of an on-going question and answer series with Northern State University student-athletes, staff, and alumni to share their stories and experiences off the field of play.
 

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Northern State alumnus and former graduate assistant coach, Anders Dzurak is living out his coaching dreams in his home state. A native of the Twin Cities area, Dzurak is currently on staff as a Rehab Pitching Coach in the Minnesota Twins Organization. Dzurak spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons leading the Northern State bullpen.
 
His position at NSU and path following has played a large role in where he currently works with the Twins. "I was extremely lucky to work with incredible people at Northern," Dzurak noted. "A lot of the assistant coaches from across the athletic department during that time are still some of my best friends to this day. I've worked for a handful of head coaches who I consider close mentors and Dean Berry definitely fits that billing. He took a chance on me to run the pitching staff after not knowing much about me until the initial interview process began. Not everything went according to plan, but he was always there to help me correct course and learn from those experiences. I can confidently say I wouldn't be where I am today without that opportunity, and I consider myself to be just one of many successful coaches who have developed under his leadership."
 
Dzurak joined Northern State baseball as the newly installed second graduate assistant to the program in the fall of 2017. Berry noted that when a second graduate assistant position was added, he wanted to find someone to handle the pitching staff and give them the attention that they needed. "I wanted someone with experience and knowledge of the Driveline throwing program and I found that in Anders," Berry said. "Anders' ability to analyze data and develop pitching plans from that data is what was most appealing to me. The programs that he developed here are still being used by our staff and program."
 
Dzurak gave nsuwolves.com an inside look into his position with the Twins and where life has taken him since NSU.
 
What was the search process like with the Twins Organization?
Dzurak: It was much different than any of my previous job searches. Even before joining Briar Cliff, I applied to dozens of positions at schools across the country and only heard back from a handful of head coaches. The Twins reached out to me because of a recommendation from another coach who was hired earlier that fall who had also coached in the NSIC. After a few weeks of phone interviews starting in late November I was offered a position. It was a much more difficult decision to make than most people think because it meant leaving Briar Cliff in the middle of the school year. I am still very grateful for the opportunity to work with all of the players who welcomed me into their program.
 
Who do you typically work within the organization?
Dzurak: I work with all of the players in our organization who go through treatment for long-term injuries - both pitchers and position players. I also work closely with our physical therapists and athletic training staff to create return to play programs for the players assigned to us. Additionally, I'm in close communication with our other coaches and coordinators to update them on the progress of players as they near the end of their rehab stint.
 
Do you have any other interesting stories or memories in your first season with the team?
Dzurak: There's not necessarily one story that sticks out, but I often think about how lucky I am to work at this level of baseball. A jump from small-college coaching into the professional ranks was unheard of even just three years ago, but it's becoming more common. It's even more incredible to get to go to work every day for the team I followed so closely while growing up in the Twin Cities. I never once, for even a second, thought that this would someday be within the realm of possibility.
 
What does a typical in-season day look like for you?
Dzurak: I usually start my day by going into the training room to talk with our physical therapists, athletic trainers, strength coaches, and video staff to make sure we're on the same page for that day's schedule with our rehab players. Then I make my rounds with the players as they go through their pre-activity exercises and treatment. Following that, I'll supervise and assist players as they work through their throwing programs, bullpens, hitting, and defensive work throughout the day.
 
How did your position at NSU prepare you for your current role?
Dzurak: I learned how important it is to be adaptable while coaching at Northern. The poor weather in each of my two seasons there prevented us from playing many home games, and Fossum Field wasn't available for any home games or practices at all in 2019. Our coaching staff needed to be creative with our scheduling in order to compete at the high level we expected. We often worked with players in small groups instead of all at once because of space restrictions. It stretched out the day for the coaches and was far from ideal, but ultimately our entire team bought in as we qualified for the playoffs. The rehab setting with the Twins presents a lot of similar situations because every player I work with is on a different training schedule than anyone else, and I'm fortunate to work with a lot of great people who help in whatever ways they can to make sure our players accomplish everything they need to do for the day.