FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – Rob Sheppard, head coach of the 2011 BIG EAST Champion Seton Hall baseball team, finalized his coaching staff today with a promotion of Mark Pappas to Assistant Coach and the addition of a new Volunteer Assistant Coach, Chris Collazo.
Pappas earned a BIG EAST Championship ring last season as the Pirates’ volunteer assistant coach. A player for the Pirates from 2005-08, he was a career .290 hitter with 101 runs scored, 92 RBIs, 34 doubles, three triples and 13 home runs. In his senior campaign, he led the team with 41 runs scored, nine doubles, and eight sacrifice flies. Coach Pappas will focus on hitting and fielding, both specialties of his during his playing days.
“Pap is a young, energetic coach who deserves this opportunity after what he brought to the program as a volunteer coach last season,” Sheppard said. “I think he brings to coaching the same energy and approach that he brought to the field as a player.”
Collazo joins Seton Hall after serving as an assistant coach at Felician College last season. He’s a year removed from finishing one of the greatest collegiate baseball careers in Monmouth University history. A two-time All-NEC performer, Collazo left Monmouth as the school’s all-time leader career hits and fielding percentage at second base. He led the Hawks to two NEC Tournament titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
“Chris is a great new addition to our team,” Sheppard said. “He brings enthusiasm to the game and has a very bright coaching career ahead of him. We’re very glad to have him on our staff.”
Pappas, Collazo and the rest of the defending BIG EAST Champion Seton Hall baseball team will begin the 2012 season on Friday, Feb. 17 against Penn State as part of the 2012 BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge in Tampa, Fla.
