FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Director of Athletics Gene Doris announced that Bill Currier has been named the associate head coach for the baseball program. Upon the retirement of current head coach John Slosar at the conclusion of the 2011 season, Currier will take over the reins of the program.
Currier spent the 2010 season as a volunteer assistant at the University of Tennessee after spending 22 season as the head coach at the University of Vermont. Currier was the winningest coach in Catamount history, posting a 486-470 overall record, including a 240-203 America East record. He helped Vermont win two America East Regular Season Championships and was named America East Coach of the Year three times, in 2002, 2003, and 2006.
“I am pleased to welcome Bill to Fairfield University,” said Doris. “He had much success during his two decades at Vermont and gained even more last season at Tennessee. He will be a great asset to Coach Slosar and the Stags this season during the program’s coaching transition and in the leadership he will provide in the years ahead.”
Currier was presented with the 2009 Ralph Lapointe Award from the Vermont Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association for his service to athletics. In 2002, he was named the recipient of the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association’s (NEIBA) Jack Butterfield Award, given annually to an active New England coach who exhibits integrity and dedication to the game of baseball. Currier also was inducted into the Vermont Principals Association Hall of Fame in 2005.
Currier, a 1984 graduate of Vermont, was a key member of the Catamounts that advanced to the title game of the 1981 East Coast Athletic Conference New England Regionals. He hit .295 and led the Cats with five home runs, four triples and 65 total bases. That June he was drafted in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Phillies and after signing, he went on to play three seasons in their system.
Currier earned a master’s in physical education from Western Carolina in 1986 where he also served as an assistant coach under Jack Leggett. He was also the head coach at Mitchell Junior College for two seasons prior to returning to Vermont.
Fairfield went 18-32 during the 2010 campaign and several Stags were recognized in the offseason. Rob Gariano ’10 was drafted in the 36th round of the MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres and is currently pitching for the Class-A Eugene Emeralds. Current senior Tucker Nathans was named to the All-MAAC Second Team, the NEIBA All-Division I First Team and played in the All-Star Game at Fenway Park. Anthony Hajjar was named the MAAC Rookie of the Year and earned Freshman All-American honors from both the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and Ping!Baseball.