NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Following an extensive national search that produced nearly 100 applicants, the Albertus Magnus College athletic department will turn to a Connecticut native as its next Head Baseball Coach/Coordinator of Athletics Facilities and Operations. Ian Ratchford, who served as the head coach at the University of Connecticut Avery Point for the past four seasons, will take over as the Falcons' skipper effective Monday, June 5.
"Ian Ratchford brings a diverse background as a coach and leader both at the collegiate level and on the summer circuit within the New England Collegiate Baseball League," said Athletic Director Michael Kobylanski. "He has demonstrated an ability to support student-athletes on their academic and athletic journeys at the NCAA Division II and III levels, as well as the National Junior College Athletic Association. Ian is also extremely well-versed on the local recruiting landscape. We look forward to seeing Ian usher in the next chapter of our program in the coming years."
"I would like to thank President Dr. Marc Camille, Athletic Director Mike Kobylanski and the administration for this opportunity to be the next Head Baseball Coach and Coordinator of Athletics Facilities and Operations at Albertus Magnus College," Ratchford said. "I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to be a part of the Albertus Magnus community and look forward to creating relationships within the athletic department and the entire campus. I am excited to get to work with our student-athletes, coaches and staff at this great institution."
During his recently completed four-year stint as head coach at UConn Avery Point, Ratchford posted a .613 winning percentage, three postseason appearances and two Subdistrict titles. This year's squad finished with a 27-11 record and claimed its second consecutive Subdistrict crown. The 2022 squad was one victory shy of a spot in the NJCAA Division II College World Series and notched 24 victories.
Ratchford also helped elevate the Pointers' efforts in the classroom, as his team registered a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in each semester. The team was recognized with the NJCAA Team Academic Award in 2020, while numerous student-athletes were tabbed for the NJCAA All-Academic Teams.
Development in the classroom and on the field was a hallmark of the program, as student-athletes continued their academic and athletic careers across all three NCAA Divisions, as well as the NAIA level, after their time at Avery Point.
Ratchford also spent two seasons as the manager of the Danbury Westerners of the NECBL, highlighted by the franchise's first-ever league championship in 2021. He was also named the recipient of the NECBL's 2021 Joel E. Cooney Manager of the Year. He spent two years as an assistant with the Westerners before being elevated to the top spot.
He has also amassed additional collegiate experience on the staffs at the University of Bridgeport (2018-19) and Western Connecticut State University (2016-18).
Ratchford holds a bachelor's degree from Post University, where he completed his athletic eligibility as a member of the Eagles' baseball squad after two years at UConn Avery Point