Jim Chester named LHU Baseball coach
Jim Chester takes over Bald Eagle program after sensational coaching stint at Penn State University Greater Allegheny
LOCK HAVEN – Lock Haven University has announced that Jim Chester has been named the new head baseball coach.
Chester comes to LHU after a sensational coaching stint at Penn State University Greater Allegany in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, bringing with him a noted history of success and strong recruiting ties.
Chester is excited to take over the program at LHU.
“I am ecstatic and humbled to be the new leader of the Lock Haven University baseball program,” Chester said. “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.”
“I am extremely grateful to LHU President Michael Fiorentino, Vice President Rodney Jenkins, and Director of Athletics Mark Sherburne for giving me this opportunity. I am excited to build a program the university and community will take pride in.”
In seven seasons at Penn State Greater Allegheny, Chester amassed an impressive 234-129-1 (.644 winning percentage) record. His teams went 122-28 (.813 winning percentage) in Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) play.
Chester led Penn State Greater Allegheny to four PSUAC League championships (2010, ’11, ’13 & ’14) and three PSUAC Tournament titles (2011, ’13 & ’14). He was named the conference’s coach of the year three times (2010, ’11 & ’14) and Chester was named the 2011 Chuck Tanner Collegiate Manager of the Year alongside, former Major League manager Jim Leyland. In 2013 Greater Allegheny advanced to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) World Series, where it finished as national runner-up.
During his time at Penn State Greater Allegheny, Chester guided 37 players to All-Conference honors and 24 players to All-American status. Over the last eight seasons, 56 Penn State Greater Allegheny players have earned PSUAC All-Academic honors and 11 players have earned National All-Academic status.
While at Penn State Greater Allegheny, Chester also served as the Director of Athletics, where he oversaw 10 intercollegiate programs and 123 student-athletes. Chester was in charge of academics, facilities, sports information, game management and summer camps. He played a vital role in the planning that led to the addition of women’s basketball, men’s & women’s cross country, men’s & women’s soccer and wrestling at PSUGA.
In May, he was named the associate head coach of the Keene Swampbats, a New England Collegiate Baseball League member. He’s also served collegiate coaching stints at Mercyhurst North East College (head coach, 2006-08) and Seton Hill University (assistant coach, 2003-05).
Chester is an active member of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). He is a 2003 graduate of Thiel College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Chester earned a master’s degree in Business Administration in 2005 from Seton Hill University.
Chester was a four-year letterman at Thiel, earning All-Region status in 2003.
LHU Director of Athletes, Mark Sherburne is also pleased to have Chester join the staff.
“We are extremely excited to have Jim Chester join the LHU family and lead LHU Baseball into the future,” Sherburne said. “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.”
