Fleckenstein, a former draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers organization, enters his ninth season on Cornell's baseball staff.
Fleckenstein comes to the Hilltop after coaching 11 years at the Youth Select Club Level in Iowa City and Colorado (ages 8-14). He guided teams to World Series runner-up finishes in 2014 and 2015, while also qualifying for the World Series in 2012.
Fleckenstein was a two-time all-state performer at Dubuque Hempstead High School, where the Mustangs reached the Class 4A Iowa State Tournament his final two seasons in 1990 and 1991.
In Spring of 1991, Fleckenstein was selected as an outfielder in the 41st round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. After a brief stint with the Brewers, he enjoyed a successful playing career at St. Ambrose University from 1992-96. As a starter for the Fighting Bees Fleckenstein played first base, third base and catcher.
Fleckenstein helped St. Ambrose to a 3rd place National Ranking and finish in the 1994 NAIA College World Series, which marked the first World Series appearance in program history. The 1994 squad finished the season 38-25.
The Fighting Bees returned to the World Series in 1996 and finished as the National Runner-up during Fleckenstein’s final collegiate season. That team finished the year 42-19. In 2013, Fleckenstein and members of the 1994 and 1996 teams were inducted into the St. Ambrose Athletics Hall of Fame. Â
Fleckenstein earned his bachelor’s degree in Design from St. Ambrose in 1996. He currently serves as Operations Manager for Communications Engineering Company out of Hiawatha.
Fleckenstein and his wife Sandra reside in Mount Vernon. Mike has twin children, Nicholas and Grace, both 22.
