Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Contact: Anne Marie Lauranzon; RMC Public Relations (804) 752-7317 or alauranz@rmc.edu

Hedrick Returns to Randolph-Macon to Take Over Yellow Jacket Baseball Program

Hedrick takes over his post on October 1st

Ashland , VA –  Randolph-Macon College announces that Edward Raymond Hedrick, a 1997 graduate of R-MC,  has accepted the position as its new head baseball coach.  Hedrick, a native of  Springfield , Virginia , will be leaving his current  position with UNC Pembroke as assistant baseball coach, recruiting coordinator and director of athletic marketing and promotions to start at Randolph-Macon on October 1, 2004.

“Ray emerged from a list of outstanding candidates. His energy, enthusiasm and philosophy are a perfect fit for our baseball program,” said Randolph-Macon College ’s Athletic Director, Denis Kanach.

"I couldn't ask for a better opportunity,” said Hedrick. “ Randolph-Macon College has one of the finest reputations for academic excellence in the state of Virginia and their ideal location makes them very attractive to potential students. I am thankful to all those who have believed in me and given me this opportunity. “

Hedrick has had an outstanding career.  He served five seasons as UNC Pembroke’s top assistant and is credited with helping to resurrect their baseball program while quickly establishing himself as one of the top coaches and recruiters among the college baseball coaching ranks.  

While at UNC Pembroke, he coached All Conference, All Region and All American players.  In addition to coaching, his off field responsibilities have included development and implementation of team and athletic promotional and marketing campaigns, coordination of community relations and business outreach programs, budget management and implementing fund-raising activities.

Prior to his position at UNC Pembroke, Hedrick was the assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator at Shenandoah University in Winchester , Virginia where he helped lead the Hornets to a school record of 31 wins in 2000.  That same team he helped recruit  reached the championship game of the Dixie

Conference Tournament, falling just short of the NCAA Tournament.  From the class he recruited in 1999,  five of nine everyday players hit over .300, including two All-Conference, All-South Region and All-State players as well as one All-American who won the triple crown in the Dixie Conference, while leading the country with a .506 batting average.

"I am very excited about the addition of Ray Hedrick to our coaching staff,” said Kanach.  “He was educated here at Randolph-Macon and his experience of coaching and rebuilding at other institutions will serve him well as he goes about the business of bringing Yellow Jacket baseball back to being a perennial contender in the ODAC and beyond."

"I realize how competitive the ODAC is, with some well-respected coaches and programs,” said Hedrick.  “I want R-MC baseball to be mentioned when people think of the top programs in the state; I want these student-athletes to believe they can have success in this league and beyond.”  Continued Hedrick, “With that though, comes work.  None of this can be achieved without putting forth a substantial effort.  That is how you gain respect and that is what we will do day in and day out."

After graduating from Randolph-Macon with a B.A. in Political Science,  Hedrick, 28, also worked in sales and marketing with the Bowie Baysox Baseball Club, the AA Eastern League affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.  Hedrick  is married to the former Sheree Rogers of Woodstock , Virginia and will be relocating to Ashland , Virginia .

Randolph-Macon College’s athletic program includes 15 men’s and women’s varsity teams, involves more than 300 students, more than one-fourth of the college’s student body and has a legacy of success including the outstanding achievements of the men’s basketball team which ranked last season as #2 in the NCAA Division III South Region poll and qualified for the NCAA tournament, the women’s basketball team which finished last season with a 20-8 overall record and advanced to the ODAC championship game, and the women’s swimming team which finished 2^nd last season in the Atlantic States/ODAC championships and had a swimmer qualify for the NCAA championships.