FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
ATLANTA- Tim Burgess, one of the best hitters in Georgia State baseball history, has joined the coaching staff as a volunteer assistant, effective immediately.
A native of Dallas, Ga., Burgess played first base for the Panthers from 2003-04 and later earned his bachelor’s degree from GSU in 2006.
“We’re very excited to have Tim join our staff,” said head coach Greg Frady. “A former Georgia State Panther, he brings with him a great knowledge of our program.”
Burgess still holds the school’s single season batting record with a .413 average in 2004, belting a hit in 21 straight games, also a school record at the time. His 19 doubles and .665 slugging percentage that season also stand in the top ten of GSU’s single season rankings.
Burgess was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 22nd round of the 2004 Major League Baseball amateur draft and played three seasons professionally in the New York-Penn, South Atlantic and Carolina leagues. He also played in the Frontier League in the summer of 2006.
After returning to earn his degree from GSU, Burgess then moved on to begin his coaching career. He joined the baseball staff at Young Harris College in 2007, where he spent two seasons working with the hitters and outfielders. The Mountain Lions flourished on offense with Burgess on the staff, breaking seven offensive school records, claiming 12 all-conference selections and producing three MLB draftees in 2009.
Burgess also spent time in 2009 working in the highly competitive Cape Cod League, on the staff of the Hyannis Mets.
Most recently, Burgess joined the staff at Georgia Perimeter College for the 2011 season, where the Jaguars captured the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association title and were ranked in the national top 25.
This summer, Burgess was the head coach the Brookhaven Bucks of the Atlanta-based wooden-bat Sunbelt League, guiding the Bucks to a second place finish and the league playoffs.
“It’s great to have people on the staff who have played here, had success here and been drafted here,” Frady adds. “We feel like he can improve our staff and bring his own special niche to what we do and help us improve.”
Burgess will work primarily with the offense and outfielders at GSU. He succeeds volunteer assistant Nick Hogan, who has been named the Panthers’ Director of Baseball Operations.
