NW Star Staff

Jerry Gatto, President

Jerry began NW Star Academy in 2004 after retiring from a Lewis & Clark College after 22 years as head baseball coach and administrator. His goal is to provide those same opportunities to all athletes. Jerry has over 35 years of coaching experience: Cleveland High School, 1969 – 1980: four post season appearances (one PIL title, semi-finalist, fund raising trips to Hawaii, Japan, and Italy); Lewis & Clark College 1980 – 2002: ten post season appearances (three conference, five District 2 championships, one Area 1 [West Coast] Title and World Series finalist); member of Cleveland H.S. and Lewis & Clark Hall of Fame; NAIA College District (II) Hall of Fame; OABA Lifetime Achievement Award; NWC Meritorious Service Award; Recently Inducted to the Oregon H.S. Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.

He and his wife Carol have three children Michelle, Steven and Chrissy and six grandchildren.

Don Freeman, Baseball Operations, Special Consultant

Don is in baseball operations for NW Star Productions and Academy and is an integral part of the planning process for all NW Star programs. His extensive coaching background lends great credibility, and his experience across the country is invaluable. He has coached with the USA Baseball Junior Program and led a team to the gold medal in the 2003 Games in Taiwan. He has over 35 years of high school coaching experience at Prairie HS, Hillsboro HS and Heritage HS. He has coached two current MLB players: Richie Sexson and Alan Embree.

Don recently accepted an offer to be the head coach at Clark Community College in the first year of rebuilding its baseball program. Don is married to Roxie and enjoys hunting, playing golf and traveling the world.

Brian Grant, Director of Baseball Operations

Brian was a minor-league pitcher in professional baseball for 10 years. He played with the Blue Jays and White Sox organizations. He also played on teams in Canada, Mexico, Columbia and Taiwan. While playing, Brian has coached for high schools in Arizona, California and here in the Portland area where he was Lincoln High School’s head coach for three years.

Brian also served as a player/coach in pro ball in the independent Central League during 2003. He is now entering his fifth season as an assistant coach at Concordia University. In 2010, Brian was head coach of the NW Star 14u Independent team. This year he is the head coach of the NW Star College Prep team. Brian also enjoys spending time away from the ballpark with his wife Kelly and his two daughters Megan and Riley Jo.

Jeff Bard, Director of Baseball Development

Jeff played at North Eugene H.S. from 1989-93 and continued on at Lane C.C. In 1999 he assumed he Head coaching responsibilities for the Eugene Nighthawks . In five seasons, the semi-pro team won 3 city championships, two state championships and a regional tournament title. In 2000, he joined the staff at North Eugene H.S. and played an important role for eight years working with OF, Hitters and catchers. After obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree, Jeff moved to Portland and became a Graduate Asst. at Concordia in 2008 with specific responsibility working with catchers and hitters. An outstanding motivator and teacher, Jeff also plays an important role with NW Star Academy.

Jake Blasquez, Director of Communication

Jake played baseball (1999, 2000, 2001) and football (1998, 2000, 2001)
at Lewis & Clark College, and graduated from the department of Computer
Science and Mathematics (2002). Jake owns The Libros Media Engineering,
which he has found to be a perfect balance between art and science.
Jake is an avid bicylclist who enjoys playing music, softball, bowling
and golfing with his family and friends.

Joey Wong