Purchase, NY (Sept. 10, 2013) – State University of New York at Purchase head baseball coach Bill Guerrero has announced that he will step down from the program to pursue other professional opportunities, as announced by Chris Bisignano, Athletic Director.
"My time at Purchase has been some of the best years of my life," Guerrero said. "I am grateful to have had the chance to work with top-notch colleagues, such as previous Athletic Director Ernie Palmieri, and appreciate the support given to me and the baseball program by the Purchase campus, community and administration over the years.
"To be a part of the athletic department through all of its positive changes and unprecedented growth, I am leaving the program at a great time where I know it will continue to grow and improve under Chris' leadership. There are many great ballplayers returning this year with a spectacular recruiting class and with the exciting completion of the new turf baseball field on the horizon, I am proud of the legacy I have left and the foundation for a bright future for the program."
Guerrero started the program in 2000 and took it from a club team to its best season ever in 2013 with a 23-19 record and a finalist in the ECAC Metro Championship. As the reigning Skyline Conference Coach of the Year and Purchase College Coach of the Year, he guided the program to a 117-197-2 overall record across his eleven years, coaching numerous top players, including the program's first All-American and All-Region Player of the Year in Ronald Echavarria, current NCAA stolen base champion in Michael Sarni, and Conference Pitcher of the Year in Miller Lulow*.
Overall, he has coached one All-American, seven All-Region, 27 all-conference Players, two conference Pitchers of the Year, one conference Player of the Year, and has seen numerous players in professional baseball.
"Since Bill's arrival at Purchase, not only has he base been our only head baseball coach, he has worked as the Executive Director of the Purchase College Association, adjunct professor in Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics, founder of Purchase Park 2 Fly, and was an assistant softball coach and head volleyball coach, and received the prestigious SUNY Chancellor's Award," Bisigniano said. "He has always put the school, baseball program, and the student-athletes first, trying to improve the school and grow the young men into leaders on and off the field.
"As Bill, Maggie, and AJ prepare for the next chapter of their lives, I know that I speak for the department in wishing them nothing but the best."
-Bobby Ciafardini, Sports Information Director