Bernie Walter added to Maryland Staff

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FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – First-year Maryland head baseball coach Erik Bakich announced today the addition of one of the most well-known baseball minds in the state of Maryland to his staff, as former Arundel High School head coach Bernie Walter will join the Terrapins as director of operations.

"Bernie Walter is a baseball coaching legend and someone I have the utmost respect for," said Bakich. "His accolades and achievements over the past four decades speak for themselves, and his addition solidifies a coaching staff that I am extremely proud of. Bernie is a proven winner and this sends another message that Maryland Baseball is creating a new identity, as well as making a strong commitment to being a contender in the ACC and on a national stage.

"Bernie’s 35 years of head coaching experience and daily wisdom and input will be invaluable for me personally and for our coaching staff," Bakich continued. "His addition is also is a giant leap forward toward our goal of reconnecting with former players, alumni, and fans and ensuring that we lock up the best players in our state. I can’t express enough gratitude to Bernie and his wife Barbara for re-joining the Terp family and beginning the process of building championships."

Walter, who is the winningest coach in Maryland public-school history, had been the head coach at Arundel for 36 years. His accomplishments in baseball have been nothing short of remarkable: Walter’s teams have won a state-record 10 championships and 15 regional titles. Walter compiled a career record of 609-185 (.767 winning percentage) and won a state championship in each of the past four decades.

A three-time national coach of the year, Walter won his first state title in just his third year at Arundel. His accomplishments, however, do not end at the prep level. Walter coached the Mayo American Legion team in Annapolis for six years, winning four state championships and the 1990 Legion national title. He also coached the Leone’s-Johnny’s amateur baseball team for 14 years, winning four All-American Amateur Baseball Association titles with the Baltimore team. Walter coached the Maryland Monarchs, an under-18 team as well.

In 2007, Walter was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame – an honor usually reserved for college coaches. He was just the third coach from Maryland to be inducted into the ABCA Hall, joining Navy’s Max Bishop and Tom Kibler of Washington College. He has also led the USA Baseball Junior National Team three times, and led the 1988 squad to its first world championship.

Between his 36 years as Arundel’s coach and his experience with USA Baseball, Walter has coached a number of players who have reached the major leagues, including Ryan Klesko, Denny Neagle, Mike Mussina and John Smoltz.