HENNIKER, N.H. –Director of Athletics Louis Izzi is pleased to announce the hiring of Christopher Shank as head baseball coach at New England College.
"I could not be more excited about Chris becoming our full-time baseball coach," said Izzi. "He emerged from a deep applicant pool and impressed me and our search team with his passion, vision, baseball knowledge and leadership qualities. I feel Chris has a very bright future as a college head coach and the ability to lead our baseball program to the top of the North Atlantic Conference. I am sure our players at NEC will benefit greatly from Chris' experience and direction."
Shank joins New England College after serving eight seasons as the assistant coach at NCAA DII Southern New Hampshire University. While at SNHU Shank helped build an elite program that won 50 games last season and made it to the finals of the NCAA DII East Regional Championship. During his time at SNHU Shank helped recruit and coach 51 NE-10 All-Conference athletes, six All-Americans and one national pitcher of the year.
Prior to SNHU Shank was a pitching coach for the Worcester Tornados of the Can-Am Professional Baseball League and served two seasons as an assistant coach at DIII Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
I am beyond excited to be joining such an up and coming athletic department and the New England College family." said Shank. "I truly felt at home after meeting with everyone involved during the interview process and that made this decision extremely easy for me. I want to thank the search committee, and Lou Izzi for believing in me to lead, develop, and grow the New England College baseball team into the future."
Shank earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business/Sport and Leisure Management from Franklin Pierce University. While at Franklin Pierce Shank was a standout on the Raven's baseball team pitching and playing third base. Shank was named NE-10 Pitcher of the Year in 2002 and has since been inducted into the Franklin Pierce Athletic Hall of Fame.
Post college Shank was picked in the 23rd round of the Major League Baseball Draft and played four years of professional baseball in the Oakland Athletics system.
Shank inherits a program that finished their 2016 season with an overall record of 7-25 and a conference record of 6-18.