IUP hires ex-Sox skipper
INDIANA — Former Butler BlueSox manager Anthony Rebyanski has been named head baseball coach at Indiana (Pa.) University.
Rebyanski succeeds Jeff Ditch, who won 253 games in 11 seasons at IUP. A 2006 IUP graduate, Rebyanski was an assistant coach under Ditch from 2007-13.
He served as manager of the BlueSox from 2011-14 and was an assistant coach at California (Pa.) the past two seasons.
“My time in Butler gave me a new passion for managing and running a program,” Rebyanski said. “I’m grateful for that opportunity and I enjoy working with that team.”
Since resigning as BlueSox manager, Rebyanski has stayed on with the organization as director of player personnel, working with current manager Jason Radwan.
“I’m hoping to stay involved in it,” he said of the BlueSox. “I enjoy helping Jason out and he’s been able to take on more and more of the responsibilities.
“As head coach at IUP, I’ll have to invest a lot more of my time toward that program. We’ll see how everything works out.”
Rebyanski led the BlueSox to a franchise-record 40 wins in 2014, the only season Butler has reached the Prospect League playoffs. He was named league Manager of the Year that season.
Three BlueSox players — Kyle Petty and Ryan Uhl by the Seattle Mariners, Mick Fennell by the St. Louis Cardinals — were drafted by major league clubs after playing for Rebyanski. Fennell, a Butler graduate, was also coached by Rebyanski at California.
“My accolades with the BlueSox certainly helped get me where I am today,” Rebyanski said. “I appreciate all of the support I’ve received there.”
Rebyanski is fourth on IUP’s all-time strikeout list with 163. He hit .339 his senior year at Indiana.
The Crimson Hawks finished 20-28 last spring, 12-16 in the PSAC West.
