Miles Community College Pioneer Baseball hosted its annual Alumni Weekend recently, consisting of friendly rivalry games, a banquet, and Hall of Fame inductions. Each year the MCC Pioneer Baseball team, headed by Coach Jeff Brabant, invites past team members back to campus for a weekend of camaraderie and networking with the college’s current roster.
During the weekend, the current 2021-2022 Pioneer Baseball team scrimmaged the group of baseball alumni, some of whom had travelled as near as Miles City and as far as Seattle to attend the events. The younger team defeated the older group in the first of two games and tied them in the second.
The group of alumni also socialized with MCC representatives and golfed at the local Town and Country Club early in the day before the rounds of baseball. They ended the day with a Hall of Fame Banquet at the club, where family and friends celebrated the induction of two former Pioneer Baseball team members, Andy Carlisle and Myles Wesener.
Carlisle, currently of Boise, Idaho, was a 2007 and 2008 Mon-Dak All Conference player, with All Region accolades in 2008 and a 16-3 record as a pitcher. Graduating from MCC in 2008 with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Data Processing Technology, Carlisle has been an Area Manager at Jimmy John’s for twelve years. He is engaged to his fiancé, Kayla, and has two sons, Noah and Elijah, and a stepdaughter, Paityn.
Wesener, formerly of Australia, was a 2013-2014 Mon-Dak All Conference player as well as All Region in 2008. He had a batting average of .426 during his time at MCC and led the team in stolen bases. Wesener graduated from MCC in 2014 with both an Associate of Science degree and an Associate of Art’s degree, before moving on to complete his Bachelor’s in Business Management/Leadership. He has been the Head of Operations for Service-Master of Seattle for five years and resides in Seattle with his partner, Brittanie.
Carlisle and Wesener were on hand for the Hall of Fame Inductions, where they gave heartfelt speeches about their time as both players and students at Miles Community College.
“It’s something I look forward to every year and something we really enjoy doing,” commented Carlisle about the Alumni Weekend. “It’s very vivid, it feels like these things were yesterday. I remember walking out onto that same field fifteen years ago for my first day of fall practice and still remember the feelings.”
Wesener also talked about the MCC Pioneer Baseball program and its leaders. “I think all of us here today can agree that this program wouldn’t be what it is today; we wouldn’t be here today, if it wasn’t for the coaches who have given back to us,” says Wesener. “The program has given me so much. People wanted to talk about my experience here-who I am today and the things that have changed my life. It kind of pivoted with my experience in Miles City. Coach (Brabant) was more than just a baseball coach, he was a life coach. He was mentor, counselor at times, a role model, a father figure, a shoulder to cry on and a mate. Thank you for taking a chance on me.”
Coach Brabant had the chance to speak about former players to this year’s current team. “I want you to understand the sacrifices these guys have made (to be here),” he said. “Thank you (alumni) from the bottom of my heart for coming.”
The Hall of Fame event also included food, raffles, and games, with brief messages from MCC President Ron Slinger and MCC Athletic Director Jerry Olson, who both thanked the group for travelling to Miles City.
“The message I have for the current Pioneers,” stated Carlisle during his induction speech, “is realizing where you’re at and owning your moment at where you’re at now. Realize where you’re at and the opportunity you guys have now to be part of something special in this little corner of Montana. It’s something special.”
Founded in 1939, Miles Community College (MCC) was established as the first community college in the state of Montana. Nestled in the heart of Miles City, the two-year college offers a bustling campus with on-site housing, a full athletic program, and a state-of-the-art Ag Advancement Center and offers quality programs including nursing/healthcare, agriculture & equine studies, business, information technology, education, and more.
