CHESTERTOWN, MD -- After a highly-competitive nationwide search, Washington College Director of Athletics Dr. Bryan Matthews has announced the promotion of Travis Turgeon to head baseball coach. Turgeon has been a part of the Shoremen's coaching staff since the summer of 2010 and served as the team's associate head coach during the 2011-12 academic year. He replaces Al Streelman '69, who retired at the end of the 2012 season after more than three decades on the coaching staff, including the last 14 as head coach.
"We are extremely excited to promote Travis to head coach," noted Matthews. "We had a number of strong candidates for the position, but we are certain that Travis's drive, dedication to the program, knowledge of the game, and success as our associate head coach makes him the right hire."
"I am incredibly thankful to Dr. Matthews for this opportunity and to Coach Streelman for giving me the chance to serve as associate head coach this past season," remarked Turgeon. "We had an outstanding year in 2012 and have a great group of guys coming back. Our program has made great strides in the past several years and I look forward to building upon those improvements."
Taking on a host of on-field and other duties during the 2012 campaign, Turgeon helped guide the Shoremen to a school-record 28 win (seven more than their previous high-water mark of 21), their first-ever Centennial Conference Championship Game appearance, and their first-ever votes in a national top 25 poll. The Shoremen led the Centennial Conference in stolen bases, sacrifice hits, sacrifice flies, fewest hits allowed per nine innings, and fielding percentage during the 2012 season. They finished fifth in all of Division III in stolen bases per game.
Turgeon was named an assistant coach at Washington College prior to the 2010-11 academic year before his promotion to associate head coach last summer. He spearheaded "Shoremen Nine" - the team's community service effort which featured nine outreach programs during the 2011-12 academic year.
Turgeon got his start in collegiate coaching as a volunteer assistant coach for Division I Coppin State during the 2010 season. His work with Coppin State's pitchers helped lower the Eagles' team ERA by nearly 50% from the previous season. He has also served as a coach in the New England Collegiate Baseball League during the summer months.
As a player, Turgeon began his collegiate baseball career at Division I University of Connecticut and was named a 2006 Big East Academic All-Star. Following two years at UConn, he transferred to Springfield College, where he led the Pride in both batting average and wins as a senior in 2009. Turgeon also played for the Maryland Redbirds of the Ripken Collegiate League during the summer of 2009, leading the team in ERA. He received a B.S. in Physical Education from Springfield in 2009.
Turgeon's promotion extends a tradition of continuity within the Washington College baseball program. Five men - Al Burris (Class of 1900), M.J. Thompson, Tom Kibler, Ed Athey '47, and Streelman - combined to serve as head coach for all but 15 of the Shoremen's seasons over the last 120 years. The history of the program dates back to at least 1871.