Joe Cicora joins the Creighton baseball program as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2008 season. He will be working primarily with the catchers and hitters.

Cicora comes to Creighton from Sam Houston State University, where he served in the same capacity last season. The Bearkats reached their first NCAA Regional in 10 years in 2007, winning 40 games and advancing to the regional championship game before falling to host Ole Miss.

Last summer, Cicora coached for the Alexandria Beetles of the Northwoods League. The team led the league in offense during his time there.

Prior to his stint at Sam Houston State, Cicora was an assistant coach at UW-Stout from 2004-06, where he worked with hitters, outfielders, and was involved in recruiting. During the summers, Cicora coached the Rochester Red Hawks legion team, leading the squad to two state tournament appearances.

In 2006, Cicora also helped coach with the USA Youth National Team, who defeated Venezuela to win a gold medal at the Pan Am games.

Cicora played collegiately for North Dakota State from 2001-03. He attended Rochester (Minn.) Mayo High School, where he was a two-time all-conference, all-region, and all-state performer.

Cicora earned a Bachelor's degree in Education from UW-Stout in 2006. He is single and resides in Omaha.