The Rocket

Issue date: 3/9/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Submitted Photo Jeff Messer [Click to enlarge]

Nearly two decades have passed since current SRU baseball coach Jeff Messer accepted the head position at the Rock. Through 19 seasons, Messer has guided countless student-athletes on and off the baseball field. Now, Rock baseball's all-time winningest coach is ready for a new challenge.

Messer was named director of baseball operations in late 2006 for the Slippery Rock Sliders, the newest team to minor league baseball's Frontier League.

Among Messer's administrative duties include, but are not limited to: recruiting, reserving hotel accommodations for visiting teams and ordering uniforms and wood bats for the season.

Even though the position requires significant behind-the-scenes work, as opposed to on-field activity, the job description is nothing new for Messer. Throughout his time at SRU, Messer has organized fundraisers, as well as hosted summer camps and special events. Messer will once again take the role of administrator with the Sliders, an opportunity that he finds interesting.

"If I ever get out of coaching, it's what I'll be doing," Messer said.

Messer, who has led Rock teams to 14 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division titles in his 19 seasons, as well as four Division II College World Series appearances, said that he wasn't interested in a coaching position with the Sliders because of the significant amount of travel during the season.

Once the Rock's season concludes in late April, Messer will take a more active role with the Sliders.

"I was going to make sure it didn't interfere with my job at Slippery Rock," Messer said. "Once college season ends, then that season will pick up."

Several players hoping for a chance with the Sliders have called Messer inquiring about opportunities with the team.

Messer said that one similarity between college and professional baseball is searching for players who will help the team win games and championships.

"As a coach, my responsibility is to have kids graduate first, but you're trying to find the best players possible to win a championship," Messer said.

Continued...

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