ATLANTA, Ga. – Senior
Luke Nowak was among the 615 names announced at the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft Monday afternoon, being selected in the 17
th round by the Kansas City Royals.
"I could not be any more prouder of Luke," head coach
Sean McDermott said. "He came into our program the new guy on the block, and he set the tone with his work ethic, going out to play every day. His performance speaks for itself with winning Co-Newcomer of the Year in the Valley. Now he is being recognized by the MLB for his skillset. Not only that, but it's his personality, his character, he is a winner, a blue-collared, tough kid that just needed an opportunity to go out there and play. I am just so proud of him and I am just so proud of our program for attracting guys with that type of character to UIC."
Nowak had the hottest bat against the entire MVC, batting a conference-leading .387. He was second in stolen bases (28), and third in total hits (86), playing in all 53 games for the Flames this past season.
A selection to the All-Conference first team and All-Defensive Team, Nowak led the Flames in runs (55), doubles (17), RBI (37) and total bases (124). Sharing the award of Newcomer of the Year alongside Murray State's Max Knight, Nowak became the third consecutive student-athlete from UIC to receive the award, joining the likes of
Kendal Ewell and Charlie Szykowny.
For more information on UIC Athletics and UIC baseball, visitÂ
UICFlames.com. Fans can also follow the Flames on social media through X (
@UIC_Baseball and
 @UICFlames) and Instagram (
@uic_baseball and
 @uicflames).
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