Eastern Nazarene College’s Men’s Baseball team recently hired a new coach for the upcoming season, Chris Shank.
During his playing career, Shank was a pitcher in the minor leagues of the Oakland Athletics, after getting drafted in 2002. His coaching history consists of helping out his Alma mater Franklin Pierce University
for three seasons, then transitioning to Southern New Hampshire University. While at SNHU, he turned them into one of the best Division II programs in the nation, according to one of his former teammates and assistant coaches.
With his experience as a player and a coach, he’s prepared to lead ENC to greatness.
“I love coaching and competing,” said Shank upon his arrival at ENC. “It was never a question
as to stepping up.” He also states the opportunity to affect lives on and off the field made taking
this position a no-brainer. Shank has high expectations despite starting almost a month into the
school year. He wants to prepare his players for life after ENC while creating special memories
on the field with his players that will last a lifetime. His first step is to get his players comfortable
at being uncomfortable.
Coach Shank believes his players should have the ability to overcome the feeling of
uncomfortableness and strive for their goals. He views his challenges as a way to adapt and
move forward, and he wants his players to learn how to do the same. Coach Shank has high
goals and expectations for his players.
His goals include having exceptional attitudes, effort, and concentration on and off the field. Also
to win ball games for the program and to teach valuable lessons to the players at ENC. He also
has the will and experience to get them over the hump in this upcoming year. He’s extremely
grateful to have an opportunity to do his part in moving ENC baseball into the future.