JOHN RADOVICH RESIGNS AS BASEBALL COACH

EDINBORO, PA - Edinboro University Director of Athletics Bruce Baumgartner today announced the resignation of baseball coach John "Ace" Radovich. Radovich completed his 14th season in charge of the Fighting Scot program this past spring.

"We're disappointed to see Ace step down," Baumgartner commented. "He has done an outstanding job over the years, building our baseball program into one of the better programs in the PSAC. I can attest to how demanding it can be to coach as long as he has. We wish him the very best of luck in his future endeavors."

Edinboro finished with a 16-24 record a year ago, giving Radovich a 290-354-2 record in his 14 seasons. He guided the Fighting Scots to the PSAC Tournament three times in the last eight years. In 1994 he became the first head coach since 1971 to lead Edinboro to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference crown. The 1994 squad, which was ranked as high as 16th in NCAA Division II, also advanced to the Division II playoffs for the first time in school history and hosted the Northeast Regionals. Edinboro finished with a 35-18 record, the most wins in school history.

The 1999 Boro edition returned to the PSAC playoffs for the first time in four years, concluding the campaign with a 30-21 record. It marked the fourth 30-win season during Radovich's tenure.

In 1995, Edinboro was ranked as high as 11th nationally, finishing second in the PSAC and once again returning to postseason play. The Scots finished at 30-22. The '91 team also posted a 30-22 ledger.

Thanks to Radovich's coaching, five Fighting Scots were selected in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. The highest was Mark Corey, a right handed pitcher who was selected in the fourth round of the 1995 draft by the Cincinnati Reds. That represents the highest an Edinboro player was ever drafted. Corey is currently toiling for Norfolk in the International League. Pitcher Pete Nyari was a 17th round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1994, while Tim Codd was chosen by the Texas Rangers in the 46th round of the '95 draft. Brad Aurilia, a first baseman, was a 38th round selection of the Montreal Expos in 1993, with Tom Matthews holding the distinction of being Radovich's first professional draftee. The pitcher was chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In addition to his 14-year stay at Edinboro, Radovich posted a 144-63 record as the head coach at the Community College of Allegheny-South Campus (CCAC) for five seasons. He guided his CCAC-South teams to the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference Championship in 1984 and '86, winning the state junior college title in 1984. All told, Radovich owns 434 career collegiate victories.

During his collegiate coaching career, the Pittsburgh, PA native has received several honors. He was named the Coach of the Year at CCAC in 1986, and was honored as Edinboro's Coach of the Year in 1991. After the Fighting Scots set an Edinboro record for PSAC wins with a 17-3 mark in 1994, he was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year. He garnered the award for a second time in 1999.

~ Fighting Scots ~

2000-2001 Press Release Index

Created on ... July 19, 2001