“A place for development. A place for 2nd chances. A place to call home. Who’s next?” 

That is how the Harper Hawks Baseball team described their program in a post on X from June 2nd of 2025. A program that hadn’t finished with a winning record since 2014 had suddenly transformed into a serious program, winning 36 games in 2025 (9 games were forfeited due to a clerical error, with an official record of 27-24 according to the Harper Baseball website). How does that happen?

According to the 2nd-year head coach, Dominic Milano, it begins with establishing a culture. 

Milano joined the Harper staff as an assistant coach in the fall of 2023, before being named the interim head coach in January of 2024. Late in the offseason, the Hawks were unable to establish that culture. The Hawks finished 13-39, but Milano wasn’t satisfied. 

“We had good kids in the program, nothing but respect with how little time we had to get ready,” said Milano. “A little bit of a talent gap between us and the top schools in the region. We knew we had to upgrade talent, while keeping a few guys from the previous year’s team.”

After that first season, Milano had the interim tag removed and was officially named the 14th head coach in Harper history, coinciding with the Hawks’ transition from NJCAA DIII to DII. To compete at a higher level, Milano got to work. 

Milano wanted to win games, but he first wanted to ensure the Harper program was respected.

To win games, talent needed to be brought in.

“We want to win. If you win, all the things will take care of themselves,” Milano stated. “The recruiting, the happiness of the team; let’s try and win everything we do.”

“We brought in 29 guys my first full year, we kinda reset everything, the culture, the standard, the talent level,” Milano said. “It was transfers, some freshmen, leaning on some of the great connections we made with travel organizations and high schools.”

For Milano, son of IHSA Hall of Fame coach Lee Milano, winning despite adversity was all that he knew. As a player, Milano desired to play at the NCAA D1 level out of high school. With no opportunities, the coach chose to go the JUCO route. Playing at Triton Community College, Milano dominated, earning a scholarship at D1 Butler University, where he played 71 games. Milano uses this experience to connect with his players, many of whom share the goals he once held. 

Milano also stresses the importance of relationships with his players. He believes it is the key reason the Hawks went from 13 wins to 36 in just one year. His players have bought into these relationships and contend that their relationship with their coach has made them the team they are.

Evan Fahey, a sophomore pitcher, is one of those players. At John Hersey High School, Fahey was a reliable relief pitcher but never gained much attention from colleges. The pitcher had taken a different path to success than most. He never played travel baseball, but it was through his high school coach’s connection with Milano that Fahey got the chance to play at Harper.

Fahey says the relationships he has developed at Harper have helped him grow not just as an athlete but as a student and as a person overall, as the baseball program’s atmosphere has encouraged him to move forward. 

“Coach Milano and Coach Schaller expect greatness from us on and off the field, and respect,” Fahey said. “They are two of my biggest mentors that have helped me grow these past few years. I will forever be grateful for them, and will continue our friendship.”

The development of a culture that values relationships has also helped Sophomore utility player Will Hickey. As a freshman, Hickey struggled, batting .233 in a reserve role. He described it as one of his worst seasons as a baseball player. After the season concluded, Hickey said his confidence was at an all-time low.

That was until they met with Coach Milano.

In his exit meeting with Milano, Hickey was told he would still be an important part of the team the following season. Milano said that despite the rough statistics, he still believed in Hickey as a player. For Hickey, that was a game-changer. 

“My head coach still believes in me. How can you not be confident after that?” Hickey said. “I think that speaks volumes to the culture Milano and Schaller have instilled into our program. I cannot say enough good things about my teammates and coaches in how I bounced back.”

Hickey has thrived since that meeting, transitioning from playing primarily as an infielder to an outfielder, and his newfound confidence has translated into offensive growth, as he was batting .389 as a starter, the 4th highest mark on the team. 

Hickey also lauds the culture that Coach Milano has established. As a transfer from another collegiate program, Hickey noticed an immediate difference in the culture. This difference has helped him believe that success will follow him once he leaves Harper. 

“What Coach Milano has done for this program makes it hard not to be fired up and want to play for him,” Hickey said. “I think how he wants to develop us, how to play winning baseball, will set me up to continue my career. Truly, Harper has been the greatest decision of my life.”

As the Hawks continue to win and develop, Milano hopes his track record will convince more and more players to commit to Harper. Since Milano’s arrival, eight of his players have committed to four-year programs, including three at the D1 level. Several sophomores who remain uncommitted are anticipated to commit in the coming weeks.

The culture change at Harper has led to continued on-field success for the Hawks, as they currently have a record of 26-18 and have allowed players to thrive and prepare to play at the next level. As for Milano, that truly is the goal of the Hawks program for the present and future. 

“We want to give everyone a chance to up the level they were supposed to play at, leaving high school,” Milano said. “Leave mid-majors to P4. Make them better at 20 than they were at 18.”