07/12 - Baseball: Bartoletti Tabbed To Lead Royal Baseball Program

Immediately, July 10, 2002 Contact: Kevin Southard, SID

BARTOLETTI TABBED TO LEAD ROYAL BASEBALL PROGRAM

Toby Lovecchio, director of athletics at The University of Scranton, has announced the appointment of Michael S. Bartoletti as head baseball coach.

Bartoletti, who also serves as an assistant men's basketball coach at the University, replaces Bill Howerton, who resigned this past season after a 16-year tenure.

From 1994 through 1998, Bartoletti served as head baseball coach at Lackawanna College in Scranton, leading the Falcons to a five-year record of 111-86-2 (.563), which included qualifying for Region XIX playoffs each year and to 20-plus win seasons four times (1995-1998). He also served as head women's basketball coach at Lackawanna from 1994-2001. During his tenure, the Lady Falcons posted an overall record of 163-40 (.802), which included a Region XIX championship in 1995 and to regional runner-up finishes five other times (1996-2000). He also served as head girls basketball coach at Old Forge High School from 1991-94, leading the Lady Blue Devils to a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class A title in 1992 and to two other playoff appearances (1993, 1994).

"I am thrilled to have Mike as our new baseball coach," says Lovecchio. "He brings a contagious enthusiasm and level of expertise to the position that is appealing. In addition, he is a high quality coach and a strong role model for our student-athletes."

Bartoletti holds an associate of science degree in liberal arts from Lackawanna College and a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a concentration in sport management from Robert Morris University in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. He currently resides in Old Forge.

"I feel that the University of Scranton offers a tremendous opportunity for student-athletes, both academically and athletically," says Bartoletti. "I believe that the baseball program has a lot of potential, and hopefully we'll be able to establish a program that can compete for the Freedom Conference title. I'm really excited about becoming the head baseball coach at the University."

--ROYALS--