GARY, Ind. -- Purdue Northwest alum and former baseball standout Colin Willis has been signed to play for the Boston Red Sox. The 27-year-old outfielder's contract was purchased by the Red Sox from the Gary SouthShore RailCats, making him the 36th RailCat and first in PNW school history to join a Major League organization.

Willis was named the American Association All-Star Game MVP last season after leading the RailCats with ten home runs and sixty RBIs. A native to Sheboygan, Wis., Willis hit .302 with 23 doubles, 60 RBIs and 16 stolen bases over 95 games during the 2019 season. Willis began his professional baseball career in the Frontier League and the USPBL before latching on in Gary where he was one of two players in franchise history to be named League Rookie of the Year.

Willis was a four-year starter during his time with PNW and is a member of PNW Athletics Hall of Fame. During his baseball tenure, he earned First Team All-Conference three out of his four seasons, only missing the award in an injury shortened season.  He ranked as a single-season leader at the university with 93 hits, 65 runs, 28 stolen base and eight triples. In 2012, he was the only NAIA level player to be named to the All-Star team in the Northwoods Summer League. Willis was also named Co-MVP of the Northeastern Wisconsin Baseball League in 2014 after hitting .403 with 45 runs, 58 hits and 26 RBIs with the Sheboygan A's.

"After graduating, I decided I was going to pursue a career in professional baseball," said Willis. "I just want to tell the current PNW players: Time goes fast, so enjoy every moment. Remember it's just a game but what you can do for the game is much bigger. Have Fun, Work hard, and Dream Big."
 
Willis has also spent time in his offseasons as an assistant coach with the Purdue Northwest Baseball team, helping coach hitting and outfield.

PNW Athletics is delighted for Willis and is excited to see his career continue to develop with the Boston Red Sox.