IMMACULATA, Pa.- Immaculata University Director of Athletics and Recreation, Paul Murphy, announced the hiring of Josh Copskey as the Head Baseball Coach and Athletic Facilities Coordinator in advance of the 2022 season. Copskey joins the Mighty Macs following a successful four-year run as head coach at nearby Penn State-Abington.
"I am extremely excited to welcome Josh as a coach that I believe will help the Immaculata baseball program take the next step," began Murphy. "Josh's talents in the dugout, his approach to player development, and his attention to creating a positive team culture were evident throughout the hiring process. I believe the Immaculata baseball program will benefit greatly from his experiences," concluded Murphy.
Kevin Schneider announed he was leaving just after the end of the season after a 20-7 record that included 15 straight wins between March 14th and April 24th.
During his time at the helm of the Nittany Lions, Copskey led the team to unprecedented success as they set a program record for wins in 2018 with 25 before winning the first Conference Championship in program history in 2019 at the conclusion of his second season at the helm. This 2019 Championship also enabled the Nittany Lions to make their first NCAA Regional appearance in program history. A season ago, Copskey's charges were nationally-ranked for six weeks in a row while also holding the top spot in the NCAA Regional Rankings in back-to-back weeks. In addition to their on-field successes under Copskey's tutelage, Penn State-Abington also received the American Baseball Coaches Association Academic Excellence award in each of the last two seasons (2020 and 2021).
"It has been a pleasure working with the athletic department and the Penn State Abington Community these past four years. One of my many highlights of working at Penn State Abington have been the relationships developed with faculty, staff, and the student athletes," said Copskey. "I want to thank the Penn State Abington community for accepting me into their family and entrusting me with the baseball program. The success on the field and in the classroom falls completely on the shoulders of the many great young men that I had the opportunity of coaching. I wish nothing but future success for the baseball program moving forward. WE ARE!"
In addition to his on-field coaching duties as the head coach at Penn State-Abington, Copskey served as the team's recruiting coordinator while also interfacing with Abington Township to share field maintenance duties. Copskey has also shared in game management responsibilities for other home events at PSU-Abington. While at Penn State-Abington, Copskey has also successfully placed student-athletes in highly competitive summer leagues, including the ACBL, Valley League, Sunbelt League, and ACCBL.
"I am thrilled and could not be happier about the opportunity to build something special here at Immaculata University, and I am extremely excited to take on the challenge of competing in the Atlantic East Conference," started Copskey. "I'd like to thank President Lettiere, Vice President Canterino, Athletic Director Paul Murphy, and the entire Immaculata University campus community for welcoming me into their family and for the opportunity to lead the Mighty Macs baseball program to even greater heights. I am grateful for the opportunity to coach at an academic institution aligned with the values and morals I was raised with, which is incredibly exciting. I cannot wait to hit the ground running. We will achieve in the classroom, be great members of the campus community, and always compete at a high level on the field with class and dignity. Go Mighty Macs!" finished Copskey.
Before he arrived in Abington, Copskey served as the Head Assistant Coach at Rutgers-Camden from August 2012 until July 2017, serving as the Scarlet Raptors recruiting coordinator while also helping to lead the team to back-to-back NJAC Regular Season titles in 2014 and 2015 and the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance in team history at the end of the 2014 season.
Before and during his time with Rutgers-Camden, Copskey also served as an assistant coach with the Brooklawn American Legion team, helping to guide the team to five-straight American Legion World Series appearances (2011-15), including a pair of Championships in 2013 and 2014.
Copskey got his start in collegiate head coaching in 2004 when he served as an assistant coach at Rider University as the Pitching Coach and Assistant Recruiting and Camp Marketing Coordinator for the Broncs for the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
A 2004 graduate of Siena College, Copskey was a 2001 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) All-Rookie team selection following a standout freshman season, which saw him register five victories, which stands as the fifth-highest among freshmen in program history. In addition to his impressive rookie season, Copskey still ranks among the top pitchers in Saints history as he ranks in a tie for 10th all-time in appearances (56), while his 4.00 strikeout to walks ratio and 1.28 walks per nine in the 2004 season rank him seventh and fourth in single-season history, respectively. Copskey also ranks fourth in program history in innings pitched as a freshman, having logged 70.1 innings over his 2001 rookie season.
Copskey will begin his duties at Immaculata on September 13th, 2021