Dan Arendt

Dan Arendt – Yorkville, IL

Dan "DA" Arendt was born and raised in Oswego, Illinois and currently resides in Yorkville, Illinois. He spent most of his childhood playing baseball and golf. Dan attended Aurora University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education. He also played for the Spartans baseball team, acting as their closing pitcher. Currently, Dan is an educator at Sandwich Middle School. For the past 26 years, he's been a PE teacher and coach, inspiring the next generation of athletes.

Dan started his softball career in 1996, playing in the competitive league at the Aurora Turners Club. In 1999, Shane Amwoza invited him to play for the Rockford-based LTs. Dan then continued what would become a rewarding career in softball, playing for teams such as Full Tilt Softball, EC Pages/The Barn, WidowMakers, Aero, Creative Design, KBI, and Polekatz/Forest Packaging.

Throughout this career, he learned from some of the best players in Illinois, namely Roy Ambrose, Bill "Bromo" Bromenschenkel, Mike Peura, and Jim "Tank" Kersten. Dan's softball career sports many accomplishments. His overall batting average is above .650 and he has hit over 1,000 home runs during his 23 league and tournament seasons. He's won 13 State, 7 National, and 3 World Tournaments while playing both infield and outfield positions. He has collected several All-Tournament, Offensive MVP, and Tournament MVP honors. Among these accolades, Dan's greatest thrills have been winning his first National Title in 2001 with LTs and becoming the 2014 USSSA World Tournament Champion with KBI.

Dan would like to thank all of his family and friends, especially Peg Arendt (Mother) and April Arendt, for the support and sacrifices they have made to help him play and excel at the game he loves.

"I am truly honored and blessed to have had the privilege of playing with the greats of softball and have enjoyed every moment and memory along the way. Softball is about competition, camaraderie, and friendship. I have learned from the best, played with and against the best, passed along my knowledge and experience to future players, and acquired friendships that will last a lifetime. For this, I thank each and every one of you." — Dan Arendt