Eastern Mennonite University has announced the hiring of Jason Stuhlmiller as interim head baseball coach.  Stuhlmiller was an assistant last season for the Royals and has been guiding the team since Mark Mace stepped down in July.

Director of Athletics Dave King said Stuhlmiller has done a great job with the players in his past year with them and is the right choice for this transition.

"I am pleased to give Jason the opportunity to continue the good work he did with the non-traditional season this past fall," said King.  "He has built good rapport with the players who have been responding with hard work and dedication to the team.  He was able to keep all of the recruits with the program and is working with one of the largest rosters EMU has had in baseball."

Stuhlmiller also coached from 2007-10 at Eastern Mennonite School and has led Broadway of the Rockingham County Baseball League the last two summers.  He was also named RCBL Co-Manager of the Year in 2011, doubling the Bruins' win total from 2010.

"It is truly a pleasure to be a part of the EMU baseball program and serve as the interim head coach," said Stuhlmiller.  "I look forward to initiating a new era of baseball that will build new traditions based on faith, unity, and perseverance."

After beginning his collegiate playing days at D-II Lenoir-Rhyne in Hickory, NC, Stuhlmiller played his final two seasons at Eastern Mennonite in 2002-03.  He is excited to work in the unique environment of his alma mater.

"My overall goal for this program is to encourage players to grow and develop in multiple areas of their lives," Stuhlmiller said.  "Their maturation into upstanding men within this community is the foundation upon which this goal may be accomplished.  I hope to develop men who are strong in their faith, confident in their talents and abilities, and knowledgeable in the sport of baseball.  I look forward to this new era and the transition that has already taken place for the Royals baseball program."

King said that Stuhlmiller has shown his ability to lead.

"Even while an interim coach in the fall, Jason gave good leadership to other aspects of the program including field maintenance, scheduling, recruiting and out-of-season workouts for players," King explained.  "I am confident that he will continue to take the baseball program in the right direction."

 The Royals finished with a record of 11-25 in 2011, including handing then top-ranked Shenandoah its first loss of the season on March 25.  A number of newcomers will bolster the returning players next spring.

"I am looking forward to the solid leadership that the returners will bring along with the talent and ability that the large freshman class will contribute to the team," said Stuhlmiller.  "In upholding our values as a team, we will acknowledge that faith in Jesus Christ is our solid foundation and that our uniting as a team requires taking on His character as we strive to persevere in growing and developing the program this year.  Our attitudes will be victorious regardless of our outcomes and we will give all glory, honor, and praise to Jesus for every milestone that we accomplish as a team."

Stuhlmiller teaches Special Ed and Drivers Education at Harrisonburg High School, and lives in Bergton, VA, with his wife Crystal and four children: Briana, Landen, Zechariah, and stepdaughter Alisha.

Jason Griffin will be an assistant coach for Stuhlmiller this season, which starts in February.  King said the search process for a permanent head coach will be conducted in the spring.