SLIPPERY ROCK — Billy Messer has been a constant when it comes to Slippery Rock baseball — and he doesn't want to go away.

The second baseman is a four-year starter for Slippery Rock University and has started 136 consecutive games for The Rock over the past three seasons.

He played second base for the Slippery Rock Sliders of the Prospect League last summer, hitting .267 with eight doubles and eight RBI.

Before all of that, Messer was an All-Mercer County Athletic League performer as an infielder at Slippery Rock High.

"Last fall, he tells me he wants to go into coaching," said SRU coach and Billy's father Jeff Messer. "He sees his playing career coming to an end and he wants to stay in the game."

Billy Messer isn't eligible to play for the Sliders this summer, so he's going to serve as an assistant coach.

"I got a lot out of playing for them," Messer said. "You see better pitching every day, do a lot of traveling and see different things.

"That was a nice experience, playing in that league. Now I'm hoping to learn more by coaching in it."

Billy's older brother, Matt, was an outfielder for Slippery Rock High and SRU. He is now out of baseball.

Billy plans to stick around the game for a long time.

"I see my dad coach and he loves what he does every day," Messer said. "He's got such a passion for it and he's been doing it for a long time."

Messer is going to graduate this spring with a finance degree. He decided to pursue collegiate coaching as a full-time career.

"I'm looking to go to a Division I school next year as a volunteer or graduate assistant coach," he said. "I'll get my feet wet and go from there.

"Ultimately, I want to become a head coach at the Division I level. That's the goal, though I'll be happy coaching baseball anywhere. I love the game and I don't want to leave it."

Following in his father's footsteps has its benefits, too.

Jeff Messer has won 778 games in 25 years at SRU. He is among the leaders in career wins among active coaches.

"I've built up a number of contacts that may help Billy land a start somewhere," he said. "After that, of course, it's up to him."

If Messer coaches like he plays, he'll do just fine.

A team captain this season, Messer ranks third on the team with a .376 batting average and trails only Adam Jury for the team lead with 25 RBI. His 13 doubles and 50 hits rank second on the squad.

Messer hit .344 last season with four homers and 37 RBI. He has been a fixture in the middle of The Rock's lineup for the past two years.

"Once he adjusted to the college game, Billy's been one of our most consistent and dependable hitters," the elder Messer said.

In the four-game series with Lock Haven last weekend, Messer had seven hits in 12 at-bats, including two doubles and five RBI, as The Rock won three times to stay alive in the PSAC playoff race.

"I've become more patient at the plate," he said. "My defense has gotten better. All aspects of my game have improved since I've been here.

"Of course, you expect to get better with time."

Spoken like a true coach.