SRU's Messer named 4th V-P of nation's baseball coaches
SLIPPERY ROCK — When it comes to baseball, Jeff Messer can’t say no.
The Slippery Rock University baseball coach, who will enter his 28th year at the helm, was recently named fourth vice president of the American Baseball Coaches Association — a far cry from just being a baseball coach.
Messer had to relinquish his duties as the ABCA’s Division II chair as well as a member of the association’s board of directors, both of which he has maintained the past four years.
“It’s quite an honor,” Messer said. “You’re elected by members and there are 6,600 members from all divisions — Division I, II and III, NAIA, international, college.
“I was never looking to get involved. Some guys were in it older than me and some were my mentors and they’d say I had a good chance to get it. I think of everything they’ve done for me,” he added.
As it goes, following next year’s annual convention in January, Messer will move up to third vice president, then second vice president the following year, then first vice president in 2016, when he can return to the board of directors as well.
Messer will remain on the executive committee throughout the process.
In 2017, Messer, who has also spent the past 17 years as the regional chairperson and has been a national poll voter for Division II, will be the ABCA’s president.
“As the fourth vice president, I’ll help the top three vice presidents and do whatever they need,” Messer said. “The big year is the first and second vice presidents.
“You put on clinics and when you’re the first vice president, you’re getting ready to take over for the president.
“It’s a neat honor ... I go every year to the convention and, year after year, I became more involved,” Messer added.
Messer’s resume is impressive, compiling an 839-499-2 record at Slippery Rock with 15 PSAC-West titles, two PSAC Tournament championships, four regional championships and two regional runner-up honors.
Messer is also a 10-time PSAC-West Coach of the Year while his teams have made four appearances in the NCAA Division II College World Series and have averaged 31 victories per season.
The great thing about attending the convention each season is getting the juices flowing for the upcoming season.
“I just enjoy going to see the coaches,” Messer said. “You get to meet a lot of different people, from different divisions ... It’s a jump start into the season.
“There are some very good people on board. They’re all baseball people. It’s an elected position, not paid, but I just want to give back to baseball.”
The new role will not have any affect on Messer coaching the team. In fact, he’s already gearing up for the upcoming season.
Having been slowed over the holidays with what became a blood clot in his leg, Messer took part in throwing batting practice last week.
The Rock season will begin in about two weeks, opening with three weekend tournaments before working their way down to Florida.
