BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Jim Chester has been selected as the next head coach of the Gardner-Webb baseball program, the school announced Friday.
Chester, who spent the past two seasons as the head coach at Barton College, brings a total of 16 years of collegiate coaching experience to GWU – including the previous 14 as a head coach. He was named 2019 Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year after leading Barton to the biggest turnaround nationally in NCAA Division II.
“We are pleased to bring Jim Chester on board as our next head coach,” said Vice President for Athletics Chuck Burch. “Jim’s history of turning programs around and strong track record as a college head coach are impressive. Jim’s character and reputation are even stronger and his values and vision run parallel to the mission of Gardner-Webb University.”
Chester replaces Rusty Stroupe, who retired after 17 years at the helm of the Runnin’ Bulldogs following the conclusion of the 2019 season.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to be the next head coach at Gardner-Webb University,” stated Chester. “The Lord opened a door and blessed our family with the opportunity to be part of the Gardner-Webb University and Boiling Springs, N.C., communities.
“I want to thank President Dr. Ben Leslie, President-elect Dr. William Downs and Vice President for Athletics Chuck Burch for the opportunity to lead the baseball program. Gardner-Webb is a special place, and I felt that when I first set foot on campus.
“I am also honored to follow in Coach Stroupe’s footsteps. I hope one day that people in the baseball community speak of me in the same light as they do Coach Stroupe.”
Chester led the Barton Bulldogs to a 31-20 overall record this past season, earning a second-place finish in the Conference Carolinas standings and also taking home 2019 Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year honors.
Barton was ranked in the top-10 in the NCAA South East Region for six weeks this past season and the Bulldogs had five players earn All-Conference honors.
Prior to his time at Barton, Chester spent three seasons as the head coach at Division II Lock Haven (Pa.) University, taking a program that was 13-28 overall prior to his arrival to a 32-18 overall record in 2017, a year in which the Bald Eagles had a tenth-round selection in the MLB Draft and five All-Conference selections.
Chester was the head coach at Penn State University-Greater Allegheny for seven seasons from 2008-2014, where he was 239-84-1 (.739) overall, leading his squad to six United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) World Series appearances.
He left PSUGA as the winningest coach in school history, earning Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) Coach of the Year honors on three occasions, as well as the 2011 Chuck Tanner Collegiate Manager of the Year Award. He also produced 37 All-Conference players and 24 All-American selections. He also served as PSUGA’s Athletic Director.
His first head coaching job came in 2006 at Mercyhurst North East College, spending two seasons there as the coach, compliance coordinator and financial aid liaison.
Chester began his collegiate coaching career in 2003 at Seton Hill University, where he was an assistant coach and admissions counselor for two seasons.
Overall, Chester has compiled a career record of 348-210-2(.621)
Chester graduated from Thiel College in 2003, where he was a four-year letterman for the baseball program, earning NCAA Region All-American honors in 2003. He earned a bachelor of arts in psychology in 2003 and and in followed with a Master of Business Administration from Seton Hill University in 2005.
An active member of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), Chester has served as the South East Region Chair, as well as being on two committees. He has also been heavily involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, as well as several other charitable organizations.
Chester and his wife Lindzey, have two children, Marin and JJ.
