Who We Are
K's Training Academy was founded in 2016 by Josh Kauten.
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Coach Kauten grew up in a small town in Iowa where he was the #4 pitcher, topping out at 83mph standing 6'3" and weighing 165 lbs. Following high school, he played at Kirkwood Community College on an academic scholarship. It was here that he met legendary pitching coach, Jim VanScoyoc. Coach VanScoyoc refined his mechanics while he continued to work in the weight room and increased his velocity to 90mph.
Coach K then earned a scholarship to play at Illinois State University, where he pursued a degree in Exercise Science. While at ISU, he was named the 2003 Male Scholar Athlete of the Year for his work in the classroom and on the field. Coach K’s work at ISU resulted in an increase in pitching velocity to 95mph. As a result, Kauten was selected in 2004 MLB Amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers in the 11th Round. |
After a 5-year Minor League career, he began coaching at Heartland CC. During his 6-year tenure as both Pitching Coach and Strength and Conditioning Coach, HCC amassed a record of 238-63, finished top 5 in NJCAA D2 in 3 consecutive years and sent 57 players to the D1 level.
He has since worked with over 100's players that have eventually moved on to the D1 level and 100s more at all other levels of college baseball. In addition, he has worked with dozens of professional players. He's used his journey from a very underwhelming HS pitcher into a successful professional pitcher. Unfortunately, He never reached his goal of playing in the Show and from the moment his pro career ended...has dedicated his life to understanding the human body in greater depth to maximize human performance...specifically as it relates to the pitching delivery.
However, with any great team, you're only as strong as your weakest link. Which is why Coach K has continued to bring the best and brightest coaches Central Illinois has to offer in order to be able to implement the same systems and methodologies that have produced all the D1 commits and Pro Athletes to players in the Bloomington-Normal and surrounding communities.
He has since worked with over 100's players that have eventually moved on to the D1 level and 100s more at all other levels of college baseball. In addition, he has worked with dozens of professional players. He's used his journey from a very underwhelming HS pitcher into a successful professional pitcher. Unfortunately, He never reached his goal of playing in the Show and from the moment his pro career ended...has dedicated his life to understanding the human body in greater depth to maximize human performance...specifically as it relates to the pitching delivery.
However, with any great team, you're only as strong as your weakest link. Which is why Coach K has continued to bring the best and brightest coaches Central Illinois has to offer in order to be able to implement the same systems and methodologies that have produced all the D1 commits and Pro Athletes to players in the Bloomington-Normal and surrounding communities.
A Shared Vision
Coach Kauten and the rest of the Ks Staff share their love for the game of baseball to help athletes reach their max potential on AND off the field! The K’s Family extends far beyond Bloomington-Normal and even the US!
At the inception of K’s Training Academy, there were many crucial partners that helped make this a reality. Satoshi “Tosh” Kajiyama, former ATC for HCC and the Boston Red Sox, current ATC for Japan MLB Hiroshima Carp was vital in the formation of the Winter Arm Care program. Tosh is one of the brightest young minds in the game of baseball and we’re fortunate to have him as a part of our K’s Family.
Michael Collins, a former HCC player of Coach Kauten’s , was instrumental in taking the plunge. MC was our intern in Year 1 and was a tremendous influence on our players. MC’s life was tragically cut short by a drunk driver and to this day continues to inspire and motivate everything that we do here at K’s and helped to form our company vision: Taking an innovative, scientific and holistic approach to the development of elite and healthy overhead athletes.
At the inception of K’s Training Academy, there were many crucial partners that helped make this a reality. Satoshi “Tosh” Kajiyama, former ATC for HCC and the Boston Red Sox, current ATC for Japan MLB Hiroshima Carp was vital in the formation of the Winter Arm Care program. Tosh is one of the brightest young minds in the game of baseball and we’re fortunate to have him as a part of our K’s Family.
Michael Collins, a former HCC player of Coach Kauten’s , was instrumental in taking the plunge. MC was our intern in Year 1 and was a tremendous influence on our players. MC’s life was tragically cut short by a drunk driver and to this day continues to inspire and motivate everything that we do here at K’s and helped to form our company vision: Taking an innovative, scientific and holistic approach to the development of elite and healthy overhead athletes.
