The Toman File

JIM TOMAN Head Coach | Third Year

After leading the Flames to the best record of In 2008, the Flames fashioned a 13-3-1 record In addition, the Liberty pitching staff set a new any Liberty head coach during his first two years, in the month of May to finish the Toman’s first season strikeout record, fanning 508 opposing 68-47-1, Jim Toman enters his third year at the season at Liberty with a 35-26-1 mark. The batters during the year. The Flames’ strikeout helm of the Flames program. record made Toman the winningest first-year total led the Big South Conference and their 8.2 Last season, Liberty recorded a 33-21 overall coach in the program’s 36-year history. He guided strikeouts per nine innings ranked 22nd record, while posting a 17-9 mark in Big South the Flames to their third straight Big South nationally at season’s end. Two pitchers from the Conference play, the most victories by the school Championship title game appearance, claiming staff, Ryan Page and David Stokes, went on to be since joining the conference in 1992. While the conference’s runner-up position in 2008. drafted and play in the professional ranks this recording 30 or more wins in each of Toman’s Liberty’s May record was the best ever by Flames past summer. Page was taken in the 20th round seasons in Lynchburg, Liberty reached the plateau team. of the MLB draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, while for the fifth consecutive season for the first time in the program’s 36-year history in 2009. In addition, the Flames had success against ACC opponents, recording a 4-2 mark. Toman’s squad defeated Duke twice, North Carolina State and Virginia Tech, while also falling to College World Series participants North Carolina and Virginia. Liberty set a new fielding standard in 2009, committing the fewest errors, 53 and finishing the year with the highest fielding percentage, .974, in team history. The 2009 team’s fielding percentage ranked 16th in the country. From that infield, third baseman Tyler Bream was named a Freshman All-American by the Collegiate Baseball News. Pitcher Andrew Wilson became the third player during Toman’s time at Liberty to be taken in the MLB draft (Atlanta Braves), while catcher Errol The Toman Family Hollinger later signed a free agent contract Tucker, Ashley, Caroline, Jim and Charlie Mac (Arizona Diamondbacks).

Born: James Michael Toman, Nov. 28, 1961, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Coaching Career: Assistant Coach - Richmond County HS, Rockingham, N.C., 1985-87; Assistant Coach - Atlantic HS Education: Gateway Senior High School, Monroeville, Pa. Community HS, Del Ray Beach, Fla., 1987-88; Assistant Coach – Florida International, 1988-89; Assistant Coach - HS Baseball: Gateway, 1978-80 N.C. State, 1989-93; Associate Head Coach - N. C. State 1993-96; Assistant Coach - South Carolina 1996-2004; College Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Associate Head Coach - South Carolina, 2004-07; Head vocational industrial education from N.C. State in 1985; Coach - Liberty, 2007- Present. Master of Science in sport management from N.C. State in 1995 Family: Wife, Ashley; Daughter, Caroline Frances; Son, Charles McLaughlin (Charlie Mac); Son, Kendall Tucker College Baseball: N. C. State 1981-84; team captain, (Tucker). 1983-84 THE TOMAN FILE

20 HEAD COACH JIM TOMAN

Stokes was picked in the 28th round by the Detroit Toman has recruited 15 top 25 classes, including Tigers. all 11 of his seasons at South Carolina. From 2003- Liberty also eclipsed the school’s single-season 2006, three of the four Gamecock recruiting classes doubles mark, ripping 155 two-base hits. The total were ranked first in the nation by Collegiate ranked the Flames fifth in the country in the Baseball. Toman’s 2003, 2005 and 2006 classes were category. named the top recruiting classes by the publication. Liberty finished its season with a 14-7 record in The 2004 South Carolina recruiting class was conference play. The mark allowed the Flames to ranked ninth in the nation by Baseball America and claim the No. 2 seed for the Big South Collegiate Baseball, while his 2002 class was Championship, their highest seed for the Big South selected eighth. The 2001 Gamecock class was Baseball Championship since a No. 1 seed in 2000. ranked 10th and the 2000 class eighth best by Liberty would go on to post four consecutive double- Collegiate Baseball. The 1997 South Carolina class digit victories during six games in the Big South was ranked 17th and the 1998 and 1999 classes Championship to set a championship record with 55 were both ranked 11th. runs scored. During his time on the staff in Columbia, S.C., Toman was named the sixth head coach in the 34- Toman and the Gamecocks made nine NCAA year history of the Liberty Baseball program in June Regional appearances, including eight straight 2007, after 11 seasons as the senior member of Ray between 2000 and 2007, and three consecutive trips Tanner’s coaching staff at South Carolina. Toman to the College World Series (2002-04). Add in his worked a total of 18 years alongside Tanner, dating seven seasons at N.C. State, and Toman has helped back to the 1990 season at N.C. State. lead 14 teams to NCAA Regional appearances. During his time at South Carolina, Toman served In addition, South Carolina posted eight straight as recruiting coordinator and worked with the seasons of 40 or more wins with Toman on the team’s catchers. Known as one of the top recruiters Gamecock coaching staff, including 2007. During in college baseball, the 19-year college coaching Toman’s 11 seasons at South Carolina, he helped the veteran was named the 2002 Baseball Gamecocks to a combined 500-220 record (.694). America/American Baseball Coaches Association Six catchers coached at South Carolina by Toman Assistant Coach of the Year. Before joining the went on to sign professional baseball contracts. The Gamecock staff in 1996, Toman served under Tanner most recent were Trent Kline, who inked a contract for seven years at N.C. State. with the San Francisco Giants in the summer of 2007, and Ian Paxton, who signed with the Tampa TOMAN’S YEAR-BY-YEAR COACHING SUMMARY

1989 Florida International Assistant Coach 39-21 1990 N.C. State Assistant Coach 48-20 NCAA Regional 1991 N.C. State Assistant Coach 48-20 NCAA Regional 1992 N.C. State Assistant Coach 46-18 NCAA Regional 1993 N.C. State Assistant Coach 49-17 NCAA Regional 1994 N.C. State Associate Coach 46-18-1 NCAA Regional 1995 N.C. State Associate Coach 36-24 ACC Tournament 1996 N.C. State Associate Coach 42-19 NCAA Regional 1997 South Carolina Assistant Coach 33-24 SEC Tournament 1998 South Carolina Assistant Coach 44-18 NCAA Regional 1999 South Carolina Assistant Coach 35-23 SEC Tournament 2000 South Carolina Assistant Coach 56-10 NCAA Super Regional 2001 South Carolina Assistant Coach 49-20 NCAA Super Regional 2002 South Carolina Assistant Coach 57-18 NCAA College World Series 2003 South Carolina Assistant Coach 45-22 NCAA College World Series 2004 South Carolina Assistant Coach 53-17 NCAA College World Series 2005 South Carolina Associate Coach 41-23 NCAA Regional 2006 South CaroIina Associate Coach 41-25 NCAA Super Regional 2007 South Carolina Associate Coach 46-20 NCAA Super Regional 2008 Liberty Head Coach 36-25-1 Big South Runner-up 2009 Liberty Head Coach 33-21 Big South Third Place TOTAL 922-424-2 (.684)

Players drafted: 89 Players in the Major Leagues: 13 Total Years in Coaching: 21

21 HEAD COACH JIM TOMAN

Bay Devil Rays in 2006. Landon Powell, an All- Toman earned a bachelor of science degree in worked with the squad’s catchers and coached American in 2004, was a first-round draft pick by vocational industrial education from N.C. State in first base. Toman joined the N.C. State staff before the Oakland A’s, and a finalist for the Johnny 1985 and graduated as the top student in the the 1990 season. Bench Award, an honor given to year’s top vocational industrial education curriculum. He Toman also spent three summers as an collegiate catcher. Toman also developed Tim received a master of science degree in sport assistant coach with the Brewster Whitecaps of Whittaker, a third team All-America choice in management from N.C. State in 1995 with a 4.0 the Cape Cod League. 2001, who signed with the Toronto Blue Jays and grade-point average. A native of Monroeville, Pa., Toman is married Brandon Pack, who signed with the Texas Rangers Upon graduation, Toman entered the coaching to the former Ashley McLaughlin of Florence, S. C., in 2000. Other Toman-coached catchers who have profession as an assistant at Richmond County a former volleyball player at Charleston Southern, signed professional contracts are Ryan Bordenick High School in Rockingham, N. C. While working and live in Forest, Va. They have three children - in 1998 by the Milwaukee Brewers, and Rob with one of the top high school baseball programs Caroline (11), Charlie Mac (9), and Tucker (6). Streicher in 1997 with the Montreal Expos. in North Carolina for two years, he also served as Toman earned four baseball letters at N.C. head wrestling coach and as an assistant football State, 1981-84, and was captain of the Wolfpack coach. He then moved to Atlantic Community High his junior and senior seasons. The highlight of his School in Del Ray Beach, Fla., where he spent a career as a player came in the 1984 Atlantic Coast year as an assistant for baseball and football. TOMAN BY THE Conference tournament, when he set tournament Toman moved into the collegiate coaching records for home runs (4), doubles (4) and total ranks in 1989 as an assistant at Florida bases (25) and was named to the all-tournament International for one year. At Florida International, NUMBERS team. he was responsible for the weight program,

Players Drafted: ...... 89

Players in the Major Leagues: .....13

All-Americans: ...... 30

Top 25 Recruiting Classes: ...... 15

No. 1 Recruiting Classes: ...... 3

Trips to the College World Series: ....3

Trips to NCAA Super Regionals:...... 7

Years Coaching in the ACC: ...... 7

Years Coaching in the SEC: ...... 11

Total Years Coaching: ...... 24

22 GARRETT QUINN Assistant Coach Second Year

Garrett Quinn is in his second year as an hitters and posting a 4.53 ERA. In 2007, Corey assistant coach, serving as the Flames’ pitching Kluber (San Diego Padres) went 12-2 on the coach. Besides his work with the Liberty mound, struck out 117, and recorded a 2.05 pitching staff, he also assists in recruiting. ERA. Kluber went on to be named A-Sun In 2009, Quinn guided a pitching staff, Pitcher of the Year, first team All A-Sun and a which lost two of its top hurlers early in the Louisville Slugger All American. Chris Ingoglia season, to once again, help the Flames to a 30- (Florida Marlins) was also a member of the plus win season. Quinn’s staff held opponents Hatters’ 2007 staff. Ingoglia went 9-6 with a to a .295 batting average and finished the year 3.16 ERA and 95 strikeouts on his way to first with a 2-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Team All A-Sun honors. Nick Pugliese Liberty pitchers allowed the fewest walks in (Anaheim Angels) started 10 games in 2008 for the Big South Conference and ranked 42nd in the Hatters and posted a 4.27 ERA, and the country in walks allowed per nine innings surrendering only 11 walks in 65 1/3 innings (3.25). The Flames also led the conference with pitched. 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings and were The Hatters made three consecutive NCAA second with 390 strikeouts. Regional appearances, reaching the NCAA Quinn also played a large role in the Tournament during Quinn’s first three years at development of Shawn Teufel, who in his first the school. In his first season at the DeLand, year as pitcher in the college ranks earned first Fla., school, Quinn helped guide Stetson to its team Big South All-Conference honors. The first of back-to-back A-Sun Championships and left-handed posted a 9-2 record with 72 a 35-28 mark in 2005, claiming the strikeouts, both team highs. conference’s automatic tournament bid. In addition, Quinn saw the first Liberty Quinn’s staff went 4-1 in the conference pitcher under his guidance selected in the MLB tournament that year with a 2.20 ERA. The draft, with the selection of Andrew Wilson by following season, the Hatters once again the Atlanta Braves. Wilson had his best season captured the A-Sun title, posting a 38-24 in a Flames uniform in 2009, with a career-low overall record and 3.52 ERA and career highs in appearances, wins, strikeouts and saves. The right-hander The Quinn Family dropped his ERA 1.5 runs from the previous Katie, Ellie, Garrett year. and Jackson Quinn joined the Liberty coaching staff after four years at Stetson, where he was the Hatters’ pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. During his time at Stetson, Quinn coached three All-Americans (two preseason and one postseason), six Atlantic Sun (A-Sun) all- conference performers, three conference all-freshman team members, four hurlers who received all-tournament honors and nine A- Sun Pitchers of the Week. In addition, five Stetson hurlers inked professional contracts under Quinn’s guidance. In 2005, Ryan Dixon (St. Louis Cardinals) posted five wins while logging 93 innings. Nathan Nery (Baltimore Orioles) went 7-5 on the mound in 2006. Nery threw 87 1/3 innings in 26 games that year striking out 76 opposing

23 sweeping the field in the conference tournament. Quinn also served as the pitching coach and of the Coastal Plain Collegiate League and the In 2007, Quinn’s mound staff helped Stetson post recruiting coordinator for two years at St. Thomas Athens Trojans of the Georgia Peach Connie Mack a 42-21 mark and receive an at-large selection to University (Fla.). Baseball League. the NCAA Tournament field. From 1998 through 2001, Quinn served as a A four-year letterwinner for Maine, Quinn Under his guidance, the Hatters’ mound corps volunteer assistant coach at Florida. He assisted earned 1st Team All-America East and America was 30th in the nation with a 3.81 ERA, first in the with the team’s pitching staff and with recruiting. East Conference Pitcher of the Year honors in A-Sun in opponent batting average with a .259 The Gators made two NCAA Regional appearances 1997, posting a 9-3 record. When his Black Bears average and seventh in the nation with seven during his time in Gainesville. The 2000 squad career ended, Quinn held the school records for shutouts in 2007. The previous year, the Stetson finished 44-20-1 and placed second at the NCAA most appearances in a season (26) and in a career staff finished first in the conference with a 4.11 Regional at Baylor. (77). He was also second on the all-time list for ERA and an opponent batting average of .270. In Quinn also has coached in various summer career saves with 17. 2008, the Hatter mound staff yielded the 23rd wood bat leagues. From 2001-03, he served on the Quinn graduated from Maine in 1998 with a fewest walks in the nation, allowing only 3.06 free coaching staff of the Cotuit Kettleers of the bachelor’s degree in business administration. He passes per nine innings. prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL), also received a master of education degree from Quinn moved to Stetson from Young Harris serving as the team’s head coach in 2002 and Florida in 2001. (Ga.), where he served one year as the program’s 2003. In 2002, he led the Kettleers to the Western A native of Skowhegan, Maine, Quinn is pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. In 2004, Division Cape Championship, as Cotuit set an all- married to the former Katie Sydes. They have two Quinn helped guide Young Harris to a 52-8 overall time CCBL record with 13-0 start to its season. children, Jackson (5) and Ellie (3), and live in record and a GJCAA Conference championship. He has also coached for the Edenton Steamers Lynchburg. THE QUINN FILE

Born: Garrett Colin Quinn, Sept. 5, Coaching Career: Volunteer Assistant 1974, in Showhegan, Maine Coach – Maine, 1998; Volunteer Assistant Coach – Florida, 1999- HS Education: Showhegan Area, 2001; Pitching Coach/Recruiting Showhegan, Maine Coordinator – St. Thomas, 2002-03; Pitching Coach/Recruiting HS Baseball: Showhegan Area, Coordinator – Young Harris, 2004; 1989-93 Pitching Coach/Recruiting Coordinator – Stetson, 2005-08; College Education: Bachelor of Arts Pitching Coach – Liberty, 2008 – degree in business administration Present from Maine in 1998; Masters of Education in Leadership in Higher Family: Wife, Katie; Son, Jackson; Education from Florida in 2001 Daughter, Ellie.

College Baseball: Maine, 1993-97

24 JASON THE MURRAY FILE MURRAY Born: Jason Frederick Murray, Coaching Career: Student Sept. 5, 1974, in Bluffton, Ind. Assistant Coach – Ball State, 1997-98; Assistant Coach – Assistant Coach HS Education: Bluffton, Bluffton, Rio Hondo, 1999; Assistant Ind. Coach – Winthrop, 2000-01; First Year Volunteer Assistant Coach – HS Baseball: Bluffton, 1989-93 Florida, 2001-02; Assistant Baseball Coach – Michigan, College Education: Associates 2002-04; Head Coach – degree in science from Lincoln Charleston Southern, 2004-08; Trail Junior College in 1995; Assistant Coach - Winthrop, Bachelor of Science degree 2008; Assistant Coach – Liberty, in elementary education 2009-Present from Ball State in 1997 College Baseball: IPFW, Family: Wife, Mindy. 1994; Lincoln Trail JC; 1995; Ball State, 1996-97

Jason Murray enters his first year with the Flames In his first season with the Buccaneers in 2005, mater Ball State in 1998, serving as a bench coach as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He Charleston Southern posted its best home record in for the 39-18 Mid-American Conference (MAC) will also serve as the team’s infield coach and assist five years with a 16-6 mark. The record included the Western Division Champions. with hitting instruction. longest home winning streak in school history of 14 Murray graduated from Ball State in 1998 with a Murray is no stranger in Big South baseball games. In addition, the Bucs mound staff had its bachelor’s of science in elementary education. In circles, having served two assistant coaching stints lowest ERA in five years. The staff included pitcher 1997, he was named the shortstop for the American at Winthrop and leading the Charleston Southern Robert Parnell, who was taken in the MLB Draft by Baseball Coaches Association All-Region team and program as its head coach for four years. the New York Mets. the All-MAC first team. The Cardinals became the Last season, Murray returned to Winthrop to serve Before heading up the Charleston Southern first Ball State team to post a 40-win season that as an assistant coach for the second time under Joe program, Murray was an assistant coach at Michigan year, with a 40-19 mark. Murray ranked 20th in the Hudak. Murray assisted with positional player on the staff of head coach Rich Maloney, where he country with a .425 batting average and had 20 development for the Eagles, who recorded a 35-25 served as the program’s recruiting coordinator and doubles, which ranks second on the Cardinals’ all- overall mark and finished in second place in the Big coached the outfielders. In each of his two seasons time single-season list. South standings with an 18-9 mark. He saw two in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines posted 30 or more wins. A native of Bluffton, Ind., Murray is married to the players under his guidance, John Murrian (Detrioit Three players under his guidance, Jake Fox (Chicago former Mindy Curtis. The couple lives in Lynchburg. Tigers) and Kevin Nolan (Toronto Blue Jays), drafted Cubs), J.D. Roberts (Cincinnati Reds) and Chris Getz in the 2009 MLB draft and sign professional (Chicago White Sox) selected in the MLB contracts. Murray also assisted with on campus Draft. Fox earned All-American honors in recruiting, player academic progress and field 2004 from Baseball America and currently, The Murray Family maintenance and was director of the team’s youth plays for the Oakland A’s. Getz has also Jason and Mindy hitting school. reached the majors, playing second base for From 2005-2008, Murray was the head coach at the White Sox. In addition, three of his Charleston Southern, where he recorded the fourth players were named to all-regional squads highest win total in school history with an 82-136 and the All-Big Ten first team. mark. In his four years at the school, Murray led the In 2002, Murray was a volunteer Buccaneers to several accomplishments both on and assistant coach on head coach Pat off the field. On the field, three players were selected McMahon’s staff at Florida. The Gators Freshmen All-Americans, six all-conference players went 46-19 and hosted a NCAA regional and one conference academic team member, while that season, breaking 45 school records. seeing his team record a 3.0 GPA for the first time in Murray served as the team’s first base eight years in 2006 and receive the athletic coach and assisted in on campus department’s 2007 and 2008 Athletic Team recruiting. A record eight players from Community Service Award off the field. that team were taken in the MLB Draft. During the 2008 season, Murray’s Buccaneers hit Three players from the squad were .297, the highest batting average by a Charleston named All-Americans. Southern team in 13 years. Meanwhile, pitcher Murray served as an assistant coach Payton Tweddale became the program’s career and at Winthrop in 2001, as the Eagles single season saves leader and outfielder Justin Fyle posted a 48-16-1 record and became the school’s single season hits leader during participated in the East Carolina NCAA the season. The squad also had three players named Regional. Murray coached first base, Louisville Slugger Freshman All-Americans and one directed weight training, oversaw field named to the Ping! Baseball All-Freshman team. maintenance and assisted in recruiting. Designated hitter Derek Smith was named both a Three players from that squad were Louisville Slugger All-American and to the Ping! All- named to the Big South all-conference Freshman team, while outfielder Steve Antolik and team, with one being drafted in the shortstop Taylor Black were each selected freshman MLB draft. All-Americans. Murray got his start in coaching, as a student assistant coach for his alma

25 ADAM THE WARD FILE WARD Born: William Adam Ward, Jan. 12, from Clemson in 2008 1986, in Charleston, S.C. College Baseball: Clemson, Assistant Coach HS Education: Hannah, Hannah, 2007-09 First Year S.C. Coaching Career: Assistant Coach HS Baseball: Hannah, 2002-05 - North Charleston Dixie Youth League Majors, 2006-09; College Education: Bachelor’s of Volunteer Assistant Coach – Science degree in economics Liberty, 2009 THE DANIELS FILE Adam Ward begins his first year, as an assistant coach for Flames. Ward will coach the Flames’ outfielders and will serve as the team’s first base Born: William Joseph Daniels, College Baseball: Liberty, 2001-06 coach. He also assists with the team’s catchers and on-campus recruiting. In May 17, 1983, in Petersburg, Va. addition, Ward coordinates and oversees the Jim Toman Baseball Camps and Coaching Career: Volunteer field maintenance. HS Education: Colonial Heights, Assistant Coach – VCU, 2007; Ward joins the Liberty coaching staff after working for four years with the 1997-2001 Pitching Coach – Longwood, North Charleston Dixie Youth Majors. In four years with North Charleston, 2008; Director of Baseball Ward helped guide the team to two State Championships in 2007 and 2008 HS Baseball: Colonial Heights, Operations – Liberty, 2008- and World Series Championships in 2006 and 2009. Ward gained valuable ex- 1997-2001 Present perience with North Charleston, coaching every position on the field at various times during his time with the team. College Education: Bachelor of Family: Wife, Kristin; Daughter, Ward played collegiately at Clemson from 2007-2009. The catcher was a Science degree in sport Meredith. two-time member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll and graduated in 2008 management from Liberty in from Clemson with a bachelor’s of science in economics. He is currently work- 2006. ing towards completing his master’s degree in economics from Clemson. A native of Hanahan, S.C, Ward is single and lives in Lynchburg. The Daniels BILLY Family Meredith, Kristin DANIELS and Billy Director of Baseball Operations Second Year

Former Flames pitcher Billy Daniels is in his second the year ranked 75th in the nation in ERA and completed an internship with the Single A year as the Director of Baseball Operations. Daniels 14th in the nation in fewest walks allowed per nine Lynchburg Hillcats, as an administrative assistant and in oversees several administrative phases of the Liberty innings (2.92). The Lancers recorded a 23-26-1 record game day operations (2006). baseball program, including team travel, camps, budget, last season. Daniels graduated from Liberty in 2006, where he academics, alumni relations and day-to-day operations Daniels previously served as a volunteer assistant earned a bachelor of science degree in sport of the office. coach at VCU during the fall of 2006 and throughout the management. Daniels was a member of the Liberty Last year, Daniels organized the highly successful 2007 campaign with the Rams. At VCU, he coached in all baseball roster from 2001 through 2006. Alumni Weekend in late October. The two-day event aspects of the game, including assistance with the Daniels has pitched for Petersburg in the Coastal featured a golf outing, banquet and alumni game. He pitching staff and coaching first base. He also aided Plain League (2002-03), Front Royal in the Valley League also assisted in organizing several camps throughout with team travel and organization of the program’s (2004) and for the Fairfax Nationals in the Clark Griffith the year for various age groups and streamlined office camps. VCU finished 37-23 and advanced to a NCAA League (2005). operations. Regional during 2007. A native of Colonial Heights, Va., Daniels is married Daniels served as an assistant coach at Longwood In the summer of 2007, Daniels served as pitching to the former Kristin Matthews. The couple recently during the 2007-08 academic year. The Lancers’ pitching coach for the Fauquier Gators of the Valley League. He welcomed their first child, Meredith, in November and coach during the 2008 season, he oversaw a Longwood has also assisted with camps run by the Front Royal resides in Lynchburg. staff which posted a 4.83 ERA with 291 strikeouts over Cardinals (2004), Petersburg Generals (2002-03) and the 429 innings. Under Daniels, Longwood hurlers finished American Legion Post 284 (1999-2002). Additionally, he

26 SPORTS MEDICINE ATHLETIC SCOTT TRAINING LAWRENSON Athletic Trainer STUDENTS Fifth Year

Jen Tapken

Associate Athletic Trainer Scott Lawrenson is in 1996-2001. In 1999, the Mets advanced to National his fourth year with the baseball program and his League Championship Series as a wild card. The fifth overall with the Liberty Sports Medicine staff. following season, the Mets won the NL Pennant and Besides his daily duties with baseball, the 1986 played the New York Yankees in the 2000 World Liberty graduate currently serves as the Series. rehabilitation coordinator for the sports medicine Lawrenson was named Interim Head Trainer for department. the team in September 2001. A month later, he Lawrenson returned to his alma mater in January became the Mets Head Trainer, a position he held for 2006, covering softball and coordinating the four years. In 2005, Lawrenson became an assistant department’s athletic insurance. After spending the trainer for the Washington Nationals and was with Anna Hooten spring with Lady Flames’ softball program, the team during the club’s inaugural season. Lawrenson took over the sports medicine duties for Lawrenson has traveled with professional the Flames’ baseball program. He served as the baseball squads as an athletic trainer to Canada, athletic insurance coordinator for four years, before Great Britain, Japan, Mexico and Puerto Rico. He is taking over the rehabilitation coordinator duties this an alumnus member of the Professional Baseball past summer. Athletic Trainers Society and the National Athletic One of three Liberty graduates to work as athletic Trainers Association. trainers in Major League Baseball, Lawrenson spent Lawrenson earned a Bachelor of Science in for 20 years as a trainer in professional baseball. He interdisciplinary Studies in 1986. A Lynchburg began his career in 1986, spending 11 years in the native, he and his wife Julie, also a Liberty graduate, Doug Gimson New York Mets minor league system. Lawrenson have two daughters, Bree, a senior at the University was a Mets minor league trainer with several of the of Virginia, and Carly, who attends cosmetology organization’s teams from 1986 through 1990, school. before becoming the Mets Minor League Training and Conditioning Coordinator in 1991. He served in the capacity until 1996, when he was promoted to the major leagues. Lawrenson was an assistant trainer with the New York Mets from

T.J. Knoche

27 SUPPORT STAFF BASEBALL RYAN SUPPORT STAFF BOMBERGER Associate Athletics Communications Director/Baseball Sixth Year Kris Sennett Athletics Business Manager

Ryan Bomberger is in his sixth year as a full-time Prior to coming to Liberty, Bomberger spent 10 member of the Office of Athletics Communications. months in various capacities with the East Coast Bomberger joined the Liberty staff as an Assistant Hockey League. Bomberger started with the ECHL as Arianna Fowler Sports Information Director in August 2004, before an intern in the Communications Department for six Student Office Assistant advancing to Assistant Athletic Media Relations months, after which he served as the league’s Director in July 2005. In the summer of 2007, he was Executive Administrative Assistant. promoted to his current position of Associate He also has worked in the sports information Athletics Communications Director. offices of Miami (Ohio) and Indiana. While at Miami, Bomberger assists with the distribution of Bomberger served as an Associate to the Sports information for Liberty’s 20-sport athletics program. Information Director for one year and was the He coordinates all media efforts for baseball, men’s contact for Miami’s first-ever Central Collegiate soccer and men’s and women’s tennis, while serving Hockey Association (CCHA) regular-season title as the editor of the Flames Illustrated football and winner in 1993. Bomberger spearheaded all media basketball game programs. He also assists with efforts for the Redskins’ first-ever trip to the CCHA Ryan Felty football, men’s and women’s basketball and Championship game and also oversaw those Head Student Manager women’s soccer. Bomberger also served as the media surrounding the program’s first-ever NCAA contact for women’s soccer for five years. In Tournament selection. Before that, he worked as a addition, he has held media contact duties for student assistant for two years at Indiana, assisting women’s basketball and wrestling, and contributes with mainly game-day operations for soccer and regularly to LibertyFlames.com and various athletic football. department publications. In addition, Bomberger served as a news and During the summer of 2007, Bomberger was sports reporter at WJPZ FM 89.1 Radio in Syracuse, named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers N.Y., covering Syracuse and high school athletics Association (NCBWA) Board of Directors. This past from 1985-89. David Massey summer, he was selected as one of the Outside of athletics, Bomberger worked from Student Manager organization’s officers, assuming the Third Vice 1994-2001 for Electronic Data Systems serving in President position. various posts for the Fortune 500 company. The NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of Bomberger is a member of the College Sports college baseball through promotion. The Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the organization sponsors the Dick Howser Trophy (most Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) and the outstanding player), the Stopper of the Year and National Collegiate College Baseball Writers of several All-America teams and Player of the Year America. awards, along with providing a weekly poll ranking Bomberger received his bachelor’s degree in of the Top 30 squads in the country. broadcast journalism from Syracuse University in David Slaybaugh Besides being one of 40 voters in the weekly 1989. He earned his master’s degree in sports Student Manager national poll, Bomberger serves on the Dick Howser administration/marketing from Indiana University in Award committee, Stopper Award selection board 1992. Bomberger also completed an associate’s and All-America team nomination committee, while degree in digital media from Full Sail, “the Harvard assisting with the publication of the association’s of Digital Media Schools”, in Orlando, Fla., in 2002. directory. He also has served the association by The Dillsburg, Pa., native resides in the Lynchburg helping to start and compile a Freshman All-America area. team and Coach of Year Award ballot. In January of 2009, Bomberger was named to the College Baseball Hall of Fame voting committee by the College Baseball Foundation. One of 150 voters, Kenny Rowley Student Manager Bomberger participated in the voting for the Hall’s 2009 and 2010 induction classes.