FERREIRA INTRODUCES HAWKS 2018 MEN’S BASEBALL STAFF
ETOBICOKE, ON: Head Coach Matthew Ferreira of the Humber Hawks Men's Baseball Team is pleased to introduce the full coaching staff for his inaugural 2018 OCAA season. Coach Ferreira and Program Advisor Denny Berni have assembled a staff that has had great success in both the NCAA and professional baseball and brings instant credibility and leadership to the coaching staff of the 2017 OCAA Silver Medalists. This young and dynamic new staff is looking to make an instant impact on the OCAA.
"This program has a strong history of good coaches and more importantly, great people" said Coach Ferreira. "I'm a firm believer in surrounding yourself with quality people which is exactly what we've been able to do. All three of them excelled in the NCAA, and bring back a wealth of knowledge from the student-athlete perspective".
Pitching Coach and Head Assistant Jeff Gibbs was drafted in the 9th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012 (303rd overall) and spent time in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. With a stint on the Canadian Junior National Team, as well as a successful career pitching for the University of Maine (DI- America East Conference), Gibbs makes an immediate and obvious impact on the strength and quality of the Humber pitching staff. Coach Ferreira recognized early on that Jeff's unique and storied baseball resume is a massive asset and will help shape the future of Humber Baseball for years to come.
Assistant Coach Troy Black was a 4-year infield starter at the University of Maine Black Bears (DI- America East Conference); graduating with a career .347 batting average. The left-handed hitter finished with 222 hits, 30 doubles, 105 runs scored and 52 stolen bases in 53 attempts. Troy was named Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and earned a spot on the league All-Rookie Team in 2011, the same year the Black Bears won the America East Conference. He earned All-America East Conference Second Team twice in his college career and was an All-New England pick in 2014. Troy signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles in 2014 joining their rookie ball affiliate the Gulf Coast League Orioles. Troy was also a Volunteer Student Assistant Coach at the University of Maine following his collegiate career.
An Etobicoke native and base-running guru, Assistant Coach Alex Thrower started his college career at NJCAA DI Kansas City Community College earning Second Team All-Conference as well as NJCAA Academic All-American honors as a Sophomore. He appeared in 55 games with 238 plate appearances and a team-best .393 batting average and .526 on base percentage with 70 hits and 28 RBI's, scoring a team high 61 runs while also stealing 17 bases as a sophomore. After completing his Associates Degree at Kansas City C.C., Alex transferred into NCAA DI University at Buffalo (Mid-American Conference) where he made an immediate impact graduating with All-MAC Defensive Team honors. In his senior year at UB, Alex had 46 hits in 50 games with 11 stolen bases, 15 RBI's, 44 walks and 34 runs scored. With a successful and competitive DI collegiate career, Alex will bring extensive and dynamic baseball knowledge to the program.
"Matt has always immersed himself into everything baseball in the Toronto community", said Humber Director of Athletics Ray Chateau. "It is no surprise that he has surrounded himself with such a dynamic crew of coaches to take the Hawks forward."
With off-season training about to kick off for the Hawks, the team will host their annual Prospects Camp on Saturday, February 3. Information and the pre-registration form for the camp can be found here: http://humberhawks.ca/sports/bsb/2017-18/files/2018prospects
