CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Former Illini baseball player Michael Hurwitz has joined the Illinois staff as a student assistant coach while working on a graduate degree from the University of Illinois. He will help guide the middle infielders after his departure at second base and three-year starter Adam Walton's void at shortstop leaves an inexperienced but talented group to take over. 

"I'm excited to continue to be a part of the University of Illinois and the baseball program," said Hurwitz. "The last five years were a great learning experience for me and I hope I can pass on some of the things I've learned to the younger players."

Hurwitz played 178 games in his Illinois career, including 153 starts. He hit .251 with 138 hits, 28 doubles, two triples and two home runs, driving in 62 runs from 2012-16.

Last season was one of the best for Hurwitz, leading the team in runs (32) and walks (67) and finishing second on the team in on-base percentage (.392) and batting average in Big Ten games (.300). He went on a career-long 15-game hitting streak April 3-29 while hitting .429 (27-63) during the span.

He was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree and earned a degree in community health with a concentration in health planning and administration.