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Everett's Levi Lacey hired as Scout for Texas Rangers
2017-10-12 14:33:12
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Levi Lacey. Photo courtesy of William Frankhouser |
EVERETT, Wash. – For the first time since 2002, the Everett Trojans baseball team will deliver the first pitch of the 2018 season without Levi Lacey as their Skipper.
Earlier last week, Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers announced Lacey as their Four Corners Area Scout, based in Arizona and began official team business on October 9th. The Rangers finished the 2017 season tied with the Seattle Mariners in the American League West standings and 7 games back from the final wild card playoff spot.
Coach Lacey resurrected a program that had been cut from EvCC Athletics after the 1982 season, first bringing the program to club status in 2001 and finishing 3rd in the North Region in their first season back to NWAC competition. Just one year later, the Trojans made their first trip back to post season play in 37 years.
“Building a program from scratch was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done,” said Lacey. “It was a challenge to break through a tough North Region back in 2002 with so many teams that had a history of success, but I’m so proud that the Trojans are a part of that list today.”
Levi Lacey would go on to amass 474 wins, 4 North Region Titles, and capped off his tenure with an NWAC Championship in 2013.
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Photo courtesy of 9 Inning Know It All |
Beyond the team’s performance on the field, Levi’s teams have also done well in the classroom. Over 80% of the sophomores graduated or transferred to four year schools and had GPA’s of 2.5 or higher.
Everett Director of Athletics, Garet Studer, had this to say about Lacey’s parting. “A coach like Levi, is not replaceable. His dedication, and passion to the game and our student athletes is evident in everything he does on a daily basis. The Trojan Nation is saddened by his departure, but excited and happy for Levi and his family. This is an incredible opportunity, and certainly well deserved.”
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JoJo Howie |
While the Trojan baseball program will certainly miss their leader of the past 17 years, a familiar face will be taking the reins. Former Trojan and current assistant coach, JoJo Howie has been named Interim-Head Coach for the 2018 season.
As a member of the Everett coaching staff, Howie has spent the last two seasons under, Lacey’s guidance. In those two seasons, the Trojans totaled 76 wins, with back to back appearances in the NWAC championship game, finishing runners-up both seasons.
“I feel great about JoJo taking over the program, and he reminds me a lot of myself when I was his age,” said Lacey. “He demands respect, knows how to win, and cares about his players, all of which are attributes that I feel are necessary to be a great head coach.”
Howie played two seasons for the Trojans and was a key starting pitcher on the 2013 NWAC Championship team with a 2.41 ERA and 43 strikeouts. He went on to play Division I baseball at Virginia Commonwealth University where in 2014 he started in 15 games, pitched a team best 100 innings, had a 7-3 record with a 3.15 ERA.
“There are certain times when it is appropriate to hire from within,” Studer said. “This is certainly one of those times. Coach Howie has shown incredible dedication and commitment to the program, both as a player here and as a part of the coaching staff. We are confident that the Trojan Baseball program will continue its longstanding tradition of success under his leadership.”
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