FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland first-year head baseball coach John Szefc announced the final addition to his 2012 coaching staff Thursday with former Terrapin standout Matt Swope coming on as Director of Baseball Operations.
A four-year starter in the outfield for the Terps from 1999-2002, Swope finished his career with .331 batting average, 16 home runs and 135 RBI. He is Maryland’s career leader in runs (181), ranks second in hits (253) and walks (106), third in total bases (360), fifth in RBI and at bats (764), and eighth in stolen bases (44).
“It’s very important for our program to bring a guy like Matt back into the operations position,” said Szefc. “Obviously, he’s a very passionate guy about the University of Maryland and particularly Maryland baseball. He has the know-how to really help me on the operation end of things as far as doing a lot of important things behind the scenes. He’s also very connected with our alumni and boosters. I think he’ll really help to grow that area with him being an alumnus. You can’t put a price on the advantage of having Matt back in our program.”
As a senior in 2002, Swope posted a .368 batting average with 64 runs and 55 RBI to help the Terps win a program-record 34 games. As a junior, Swope ranked third on the team with a .328 batting average and tallied seven home runs and 10 stolen bases.
The New Carrollton, Md., native was taken in the 24th round of the 2002 MLB Draft by the Montreal Expos where he spent the season with their Class A affiliate Clinton Lumber Kings and their Class A Short-Season affiliate Vermont Expos.
Swope replaces Bernie Walter as the Director of Baseball Operations who worked in the position for the past three seasons. Walter will remain on the staff as Special Assistant to the Head Coach.
In addition, Eric Milton will remain on the staff in the same capacity as last season serving as a volunteer assistant coach.
“Eric and Bernie were valuable members of the previous coaching staff and it was important to us to be able to retain them,” said Szefc. “Obviously, Eric has a wealth of baseball knowledge and is really respected by the players and coaches. Bernie is well connected within the baseball community especially within Maryland. He is definitely an asset.”
