Head George Greer

1998 ACC Champions

For the last 14 seasons, George Greer has built the Wake Forest base- ball program into a consistent winner. In recent years, Greer has molded the Demon Deacons into a power in the country’s toughest conference, the ACC. 1999 ACC Champions By capturing the 2001 ACC Championship, Greer and Wake Forest earned its third league title in four years. No other current coach in the league has won three rings. Greer’s accomplishments at Wake Forest have been numerous. The year 2001 was a banner year for the program but especially for Greer. During the course of the season, he picked up career win number 600 and also his 500th win as the Wake Forest skipper. As a team last year, the Deacons won 44 games, the second-most in school history and reached the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season. In 2000, the Demon Deacons won 40 games for the third year in a row. In 1999, Greer’s team won back-to-back ACC championships for the first time. In 1998, Wake Forest captured the school’s first ACC title in 21 years and earned an invitation to the NCAA Championship for the first time since 1977. Although his teams have enjoyed a high level of success recently, suc- cess is certainly not new to Greer who enters his 15th season at Wake Forest in 2002. Greer owns the distinction of being the winningest coach in school his- tory. He begins the 2002 season with an 14-year record of 515-312-3 and ranks fourth all-time in the Atlantic Coast Conference in wins. He also 2001 ACC Champions owns more than 600 career victories on the Division I level including his six-year stay at Davidson. Greer’s overall mark stands at 621-434-7 in 20 seasons. The Greer Ledger “It’s a tribute to the continued commitment the school has made to that has given me the tools to put together winning teams,” says Year School W L T Pct. Greer of his success with the Deacons. “We have had outstanding groups 1982 Davidson 13 26 0 .333 of student-athletes and assistant coaches who have all contributed to our 1983 Davidson 11 24 0 .314 success, so I don’t think of this as a personal accomplishment as much as 1984 Davidson 12 16 1 .431 it is a Wake Forest accomplishment.” 1985 Davidson 24 19 0 .558 His consistency for winning wherever he has been is one of Greer’s 1986 Davidson 21 20 1 .512 biggest assets. That has never been more evident than at Wake Forest, 1987 Davidson 25 17 2 .595 where he has won at least 30 games in 13 of his 14 seasons, including 40- 1988 Wake Forest 32 26 0 .552 plus wins in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. 1989 Wake Forest 35 23 0 .603 In 1998, Greer guided his talented squad to a 43-23 overall record and 1990 Wake Forest 35 24 2 .590 a 13-10 league mark, tying the school record for most ACC wins in a sea- 1991 Wake Forest 37 22 0 .627 son. The Demon Deacons boasted the ACC’s leading batter in Jon 1992 Wake Forest 36 22 0 .621 Palmieri as well as the conference’s winningest and ACC 1993 Wake Forest 31 22 0 .585 Tournament MVP in John Hendricks. 1994 Wake Forest 37 20 0 .649 In 1999, Greer led the Demon Deacons to a school-record 16 ACC wins 1995 Wake Forest 34 24 0 .586 and a second place finish in the ACC, the school’s best regular-season 1996 Wake Forest 26 32 0 .448 league finish since 1979. He molded the Wake Forest lineup into one of 1997 Wake Forest 37 20 0 .649 the most potent in the ACC, as the Deacs .329 as a team, scored a 1998 Wake Forest 43 23 0 .652 school-record 8.7 runs per game, won a school-record 47 games and 1999 Wake Forest 47 16 0 .746 earned a top-10 national ranking. Three of his players – Palmieri, Mike 2000 Wake Forest 41 20 1 .669 MacDougal and Danny Borrell – earned All-American honors and 2001 Wake Forest 44 18 0 .710 MacDougal became the second first-round draft pick in school history Division I Totals 621 434 7 .588 when he was selected 21st by the . Andrew Riepe was Davidson (6 yrs) 106 122 4 .466 named the ACC Tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Wake Forest (14 yrs) 515 312 3 .622 In 2000, Wake Forest posted a 41-20-1 record and a fourth-place fin- Avery Point (9 yrs) 155 52 3 .745 ish in the ACC. The Deacons were backed by the strong arms of first- Cotuit (Cape Cod, 9 yrs) 213 143 21 .593

20 Wake Forest Baseball Head Coach George Greer

team All-ACC selection Scott Siemon, freshman All- Warren Sawkiw (1989), John Hendricks (1998), Jon Greer’s Major League Roster American Ben Clayton and Borrell, who was drafted Palmieri (1999), Mike MacDougal (1999) and Cory in the second round by the . As Sullivan (2001) were first-team choices, while Chris Ruben Amaro Phillies a junior, Cory Sullivan was named second team All- Kowilcik (1992), Bret Wagner (1994), Palmieri Randy Asador Padres American. (1998), Danny Borrell (1999) and Sullivan (2000) J.T. Bruett Twins Last spring, the Deacons captured its third ACC earned second-team honors. David Bush was a Mike Buddie Brewers title in a span of four years behind seven All-ACC third-team All-American (2001). Kevin Campbell Athletics selections, including Sullivan who was a first team Jamie D’Antona was named Collegiate Baseball’s Rangers All-American and David Bush, a National Freshman of the Year Cardinals Athletics third-team All-American closer. The Greer Coaching Tree in 2001. Four players off the team Dave Lardieri earned Sean DePaula Indians were drafted in the top ten More than 25 former players and Academic All-America honors Mets Yankees rounds of the June 2001 draft. coaches who worked with Greer at in 1997. Pat Malloy (1996), Joe Hesketh Red Sox There’s no denying that Wake Forest, Davidson or in the Cape Palmieri (1996), MacDougal Cod League have gone on to coach- Bryan Hickerson Giants Greer has made the Demon (1997), Borrell (1998), Corey Ken Howell Phillies Deacons an annual threat in ing or other baseball careers on the Slavik (1998), Ben Clayton professional, college and prep levels. Jeff Innis Mets one of America’s toughest base- (2000), D’Antona (2001), Kyle Kevin Jarvis Padres ball conferences. But that’s not Head Coaches: Sleeth (2001), Adam Hanson Barry Jones Phillies surprising to those who watched Mikio Aoki Columbia (2001), Steve LeFaivre (2001) Derek Lilliquist Indians him grow up in Rhode Island. Gene Baker Guilford College and Josh Hansen (2001) were Mike MacDougal Royals He was a star at the University Roger Bidwell Connecticut-Avery Point freshman All-Americans. Tim Naehring Red Sox of Connecticut, where he Dave Blanchard Griswall HS (CT) All-Americans are some- Laddie Renfroe Cubs earned All-America honors two Jeff Feiler Albright College (PA) thing Greer knows a lot about. Ed Sprague Pirates times, and gained further Peter Hughes Boston College That is the status he reached Tim Teufel Padres acclaim as captain of the USA’s Pat Kelly The Williams School (CT) during his playing career at Terry Steinbach Twins gold-medal winning Pan Am Steve Livesey Devil Rays System Connecticut in the late 1960s. Greg Vaughn Padres Games team in 1967. Billy Masse Yankees System As a sophomore, he led the Mark Wasinger Giants His penchant for winning has Terry Rupp Maryland Yankee Conference in batting rubbed off on his players David Turgeon Indians System with a .403 average before Greer’s List of Signees whether at Cotuit of the Cape Kyle Wagner Redland HS (PA) gaining All-America recognition Jamie Athas Giants Cod League – where he won Steve Whitmyer Navy as a junior and senior. Ross Atkins Indians three All-Cape championships During the summer, he Assistant Coaches: Jake Austin Pirates and one regular season title – Neal Avent UNC Greensboro starred in the Cape Cod League Danny Borrell Yankees Connecticut - Avery Point, win- Matt Briggs Tennessee Wesleyan leading Chatham to the finals Carlos Brackley Red Sox ning nine titles in nine years, Rob Cooper Sacramento City College three straight years (1965-67). Mike Buddie Yankees Davidson, or Wake Forest. Bruce Crabbe Rangers System Part of his 1967 season with Rusty Bumgardner Marlins Before coming to WFU, Bill Hiller, Jr. Duke Chatham was interrupted when George Coghill Broncos-NFL Greer was head coach at Michael Holmes Wake Forest he was chosen to captain Team Dan Conway Rockies Davidson and succeeded in get- Georgia Tech USA team in the Pan Am Scott Daeley Giants ting that program to a competi- Dave Myers Games in Winnipeg, Canada. Steve DeFranco Free agent tive level. By the time he left in Marc Palmieri Chaminade HS (NY) Greer showed why he was Sean DePaula Indians the summer of 1987, Greer had Jon Palmieri Georgia Tech chosen to lead the team, bat- Bret Donovan Red Sox three straight 20-win seasons Rob Penders San Jacinto JC (TX) ting .379 during the tourna- Jeff Drabik Free Agent under his belt, including a then- Paul Reinisch Colony HS (NY) ment (17-for-45) and delivering John Hendricks Mets record 25 wins his final year. Tom Rossi New London HS (CT) the U.S. a gold medal with a Michael Holmes Athletics Greer broke into coaching in Dan Simonds Miami (OH) bases loaded in the bot- Frank Humber Dodgers 1972 when he started the pro- tom of the ninth to beat Cuba in Josh Itzoe Padres Administration: gram at Connecticut-Avery the best of three championship. Kevin Jarvis Reds Ruben Amaro, Jr. Buddy Jenkins Expos Point from scratch. His ability to He was unanimously elected to Ross Atkins David Kennedy Angels judge talent was immediately represent the American team Larry Gallo North Carolina Chris Kowilcik Free Agent evidenced as he posted an Tim Naehring on the medal stand. Mike MacDougal Royals impressive 155-52-3 record in Warren Sawkiw CBC TV Color Analyst After graduating from Larry Marino Red Sox eight seasons, highlighted by a UConn in 1968, he was drafted Dave Marzano Free Agent 31-6 record in 1981. Scouts: by the St. Louis Cardinals. Billy Masse Yankees While many great moments Jon Bonifay Tampa Bay Devil Rays Greer went on to post impres- Mark Melito Royals have occurred during his colle- Mike Rikard sive statistics in a five-year Jon Palmieri Angels giate coaching career, Greer is Tim Teufel minor league career, which con- Rob Penders Free Agent still remembered for the out- Todd Thomas cluded with him being player- Peter Princi Mets standing teams that he coached Mark Wasinger San Diego Padres coach, trainer and bus driver, at Paul Reinisch Tigers on Cape Cod. Single-A Modesto (CA) in 1973. Andrew Riepe Red Sox As manager of Cotuit for nine years, Greer was Greer owns the distinction of being a member of Jason Robbins Reds named Coach of the Year twice, including his first three Halls of Fame. He is a 1999 inductee into the Bobby Rodgers Red Sox season, in addition to his league championships. George Whitfield Hall of Fame, a member of the Warren Sawkiw Tigers Greer’s career record at Cotuit was 213-143-21. inaugural class of inductees in the Westerly (R.I.) Mark Seaver Orioles Major league superstars like Greg Vaughn, Will High School Hall of Fame in 2000 and the inaugu- Brian Shabosky Free Agent Clark, John Franco and Terry Steinbach have all ben- ral class of inductees into the University of Corey Slavik Cubs Rob Stiegele Orioles efited from Greer’s instruction and over 30 former Connecticut-Avery Point Hall of Fame in 2001. Cory Sullivan Rockies Deacons have realized their dream of being drafted In January 2002, Greer received the Winston- Chase Voshell Cardinals by a major league team since 1988. Salem/Bill Slack Community Service Award. Bret Wagner Cardinals In addition, Greer has produced 24 All-Americans Greer and his wife, Becky, have three children: Kyle Wagner Angels in his tenure at Wake Forest. Billy Masse (1988), Andy (29), Chezley (25) and Chip (20). Bobby Wood Free Agent

2002 Media Guide 21 Assistant Coaches

Jamie Mabe begins his second season at Wake Forest with the added Michael Holmes enters his second year on the Wake Forest baseball responsibility of recruiting coordinator. Mabe works with the infielders and staff. This season, Holmes moves into the role of pitching coach. catchers in addition to his duties as the team’s first base coach. Holmes rejoined the Demon Deacons in January 2001 after a three- “Jamie brings experience and new energy to our recruiting coordinator year career in the Oakland A's system. Holmes was a four-year standout position. His familiarity with North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia pitcher for the Demon Deacons from 1994-97 and was named the team’s high schools, his knowledge of the national junior college programs and most valuable player in 1996 as a junior. his experience as a head coach in collegiate summer baseball is particu- “I am honored to have Michael Holmes as pitching coach,” head larly welcomed,” head coach George Greer said. coach George Greer said. “He is an outstanding teacher, motivator and Mabe joins the Demon Deacons prior to the 2001 season after serving has professional experience which we needed in our program as many of as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Young Harris College our have been high draft picks. To have one of your own come (Ga.). back to coach with you is a thrill of a lifetime for me.” He helped guide the Mountain Lions to a Region XVII Championship Holmes was a California League All-Star and played for Southern and a record of 80-39 in two years. While Mabe was on the coaching staff, Oregon, Visalia and Modesto. the school experienced its best seasons in school history, setting records for In 1998, he was dubbed the "Best Control Pitcher" in Single-A by wins both years. . Holmes was a two-time recipient of the Dave Stewart During his stint at Young Harris, the team signed 11 players who were Community Service Award. eventually drafted by major league teams, nine USA Today Honorable The Greensboro, N.C., native was drafted as a junior in the 23rd round Mention All-Americans and 11 All-Conference selections including Region by the Chicago White Sox. Holmes returned for his senior season and was XVII Player of the Year Ryan Fry. picked up in the 18th round by Oakland. Mabe played collegiately at Mount Olive College as an outfielder, Holmes finished his Wake Forest career with an 11-7 record and threw where he helped the Trojans to the 1992 NAIA College World Series. seven complete games. As a sophomore, he led all Deacon pitchers in Mabe earned a teaching certificate from UNC Greensboro before ERA and complete games. As a junior, he posted a team-high in wins. beginning his coaching career at Augusta State where he was the first base Holmes was an ACC Honor Roll student during his time as a Demon coach, coached the infielders and catchers in addition to assisting with Deacon. recruiting. While with the Jaguars, Mabe earned a master’s degree in edu- “I’m excited to have the opportunity to coach at my alma mater, to cation. work under a great coach like Coach Greer and to work with quality kids. Last summer, Mabe served as manager for the Petersburg (Va.) There is a lot of excitement around the program coming off a champi- Generals of the Coastal Plain League, coaching five players to the All-Star onship year and I'm proud to be a part of it," Holmes said. team including the League’s Most Valuable Hitter, Anthony Bocchino. Last summer, Holmes served as the pitching coach for Brewster in the On September 1, 2001, he married the former Tabetha Stephens. She prestigious Cape Cod League where he guided some of the best young is the softball coach at Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem. pitchers in college baseball.

22 Wake Forest Baseball Support Staff

Wake Forest’s volunteer assistant coach, Brad Bohannon, is in his sec- Jeff Strahm enters his fourth year with the Sports Medicine Department ond year with the Demon Deacons. and the baseball team. He has been on board for two of Wake Forest’s Bohannon came to Wake Forest after playing two years for the DuBois ACC Championships. County (Ind.) Dragons of the Frontier Independent League, where he was Strahm works with the members of the baseball team on a day-to-day an All-Star . basis in the prevention and treatment of injuries. Bohannon earned his undergraduate degree from Berry College (Ga.) In addition to his duties with the baseball team, Strahm also works with in 1998. He was an all-conference player for Berry, batting .351 with 11 the Demon Deacon volleyball team. home runs and 96 runs batted in over his two-year span with the Vikings. Strahm graduated from Kansas State in 1998 with a degree in Sports Bohannon will earn his master’s in business administration from the Medicine. Wake Forest Calloway School of Business and Accountancy this spring. He and his wife, Sarah, live in Winston-Salem.

Matt Jennings begins his second year on the Wake Forest strength and Mike Vest is in his second year with the Wake Forest media relations conditioning coaching staff and his second year with the baseball team. office and the baseball team. He handles the publicity for the baseball and Jennings joined the Demon Deacons from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers men’s soccer teams and is the editor of the football game program. He of the NFL where he was a strength and conditioning assistant. Prior to his assists with the publicity of the football and men’s and women’s basketball time in Tampa Bay, Jennings served as an assistant strength and condi- teams. tioning coach at the University of Tennessee while earning his master’s in Vest graduated in 2000 from the University of Kansas with a degree in human performance and sport studies. journalism. As an undergraduate in the KU sports information office, Vest Jennings is a 1996 graduate of North Carolina where he was a three- worked with the men’s tennis and swimming programs. year member of the football team and a member of the Dean’s List. Vest is a member of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers He and his wife, Jill, live in Winston-Salem. Association.

Ron Wellman Barbara Walker Dwight Lewis Davis Whitfield Wayne Williams Dr. Walt Curl Greg Collins Roxann Moody Athletics Director Sr. Exec. Assoc. AD Associate AD Assistant AD Assistant AD Team Doctor Sports Medicine Equipment

Jody Smith Joe Arnone Jay Lowe Steve Adams Tal Jobe Alison James Tanvi Shah Kristin Wieneke Compliance Ticket Manager Operations Operations Clubhouse Mgr. Admin. Secretary Student Manager Student Trainer

2002 Media Guide 23