HUNTINGDON, Pa. - The Juniata College Athletics Department is elated to announce the appointment of the 25th head coach of the baseball team, Patrick Christopher. He brings over six years of coaching experience to Juniata.
"We look forward to continuing the growth and development of our program under Pat's leadership," said Athletics Director and Head Men's Basketball coach Greg Curley. "His background, experience, and enthusiasm, uniquely qualify him for this opportunity, and have prepared him well.
"Coach Gibboney and his staff have positioned our program well, and the future of Juniata baseball with Pat at the helm is very exciting," continued Curley. "His commitment to excellence in the classroom, in the community, and on the field, will serve the baseball program and its student-athletes well, and enhance our efforts to provide a first-class student-athlete experience while chasing the highest levels of competitive success within the Landmark Conference."
Coach Christopher comes to Juniata from Heidelberg University, where he was the top assistant for the past five seasons. He was involved in all aspects of the program, including: developing offensive/defensive and pitching strategies, was in charge of recruiting in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Pennsylvania, collaborated with the facilities and grounds department on field maintenance and was in charge of academic monitoring as the team won the American Baseball Coaches Association Team Academic Excellence Award all five years while he was with the program (2017-2020). He also helped with alumni outreach and was the Prospect Camp Coordinator.
"The opportunity to lead the Juniata baseball program is a tremendous honor and truly humbling," said Christopher. "A huge thank you to Coach Curley and the search committee for trusting me with the future of JC Baseball. Also, thank you to President Troha for welcoming Allyson and I into the Juniata family. And thank you to Coach Fitzgerald, Coach Palm, and all of the Heidelberg baseball program for preparing me for this over the last 5 seasons.
In the last full season back in 2019, Christopher helped the team earn an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament where they reached the NCAA Division III College World Series after winning the Mideast Super Regional while the team had one All-American honoree, three All-Mideast Region team members, and 11 All-Ohio Athletic Conference selections. The Student Princes also led the nation in hits in 2019.
"Our mission is clear: maximize every opportunity we're given with fire, energy, and passion in the classroom, on the field, and in community, together," Christopher continued.
Before his time at Heidelberg, he was a graduate assistant at Division II Notre Dame College, where he was the hitting coach and in charge of the outfield. He also helped with the creation of the practice plan, game scheduling, travel, academic monitoring, and fundraising. He also was the head coach of the developmental team.
Christopher also earned his Masters of Education with a Concentration in Technology at Notre Dame.
Christopher attended McDaniel College for undergrad, where he was a four-year member of the baseball team. He was a three-time all-conference selection, honorable mention as a sophomore before garnering second-team honors in his final two seasons. He graduated as the all-time hits' leader at McDaniel. He earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration.
Pat will be joined by his fiancé, Allyson, who will be working here at Juniata in HR. "Allyson and I are so excited to get on campus and start the next chapter of our lives in Huntingdon."