Jim Chester has been named the new head baseball coach at the Lock Haven University. Chester joins LHU community after serving the dual role of a baseball coach and an athletics director at the Penn State University Greater Allegany.
Chester is delighted and humbled to take over the program.
"The academic reputation, historic athletic-excellence and the vision of the administration provides all the necessary resources for immediate success on and off the field," Chester said in a statement. "I am excited to build a program the university and community will take pride in."
During his seven season stint with the Penn State Greater Allegheny, the teams overall posted an impressive 234-129 or .644 winning percentage record with 122-28 (.813 winning percentage) in the Penn State University Athletic Conference play.
Under his leadership, Chester guided the Penn State Greater Allegheny to four PSUAC League championships (2010, '11, '13 & '14) and three PSUAC Tournament titles (2011, '13 & '14). In 2013, Greater Allegheny finished as a runner-up in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) World Series.
Chester also guided 37 players to All-Conference honors, 24 players to All-American status, 56 players to PSUAC All-Academic honors and 11 players to National All-Academic status.
He was named the conference's coach of the year thrice (2010, '11 & '14) and Chuck Tanner Collegiate Manager of the Year in 2011.
While serving as the Director of Athletics, Chester was responsible for 10 intercollegiate programs, 123 student athletes, academics, facilities, sports information, game management and summer camps. His stint at the Penn State also saw the addition of women's basketball, men's & women's cross country, men's & women's soccer and wrestling at PSUGA.
Prior to Penn State, Chester also had collegiate coaching experience with the Mercyhurst North East College (head coach, 2006-08) and Seton Hill University (assistant coach, 2003-05).
"He's been very successful during his collegiate coaching career and we look forward to him continuing that success at The Haven. Jim's passion for higher education and baseball, along with his vast recruiting network and baseball recourses make him a great fit," said LHU Director of Athletics Mark Sherburne.
