NORFOLK, Va. – Former Old Dominion University pitching coach Tim Lavigne was recently named the head coach of the Norfolk Academy baseball team and will also work in the development office.
"We are all very happy for Tim Lavigne for being named head coach at Norfolk Academy,” said ODU head baseball coach Chris Finwood. “Tim did an outstanding job here at ODU, helping us develop pitchers and also relationships in the Tidewater area. We have been able to attract some of the best players in the area due to his hard work and reputation. We look forward to continuing to work with Tim as he makes the transition to the high school level. I certainly value his friendship and also his expertise on the pitching side of things. Norfolk Academy is getting a great husband, father and coach!”
Lavigne spent five seasons with the Baseball Monarchs, mentoring five All-Conference pitchers and three Major League Baseball draft picks.
Old Dominion completed the 2015 season with a 4.31 earned run average, led by Adam Bainbridge who finished the season second in the Conference USA standings with a 2.39 ERA. Sam Sinnen also ranked in the top 10, claiming a 2.84 mark for seventh in the league. Lavigne added his third Old Dominion MLB draft pick at the conclusion of the season when right-handed pitcher Greg Tomchick was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Baseball Monarchs highlighted the season with two wins over the University of Virginia, the 2015 National Champions, and a 2-1 series at home against nationally ranked Rice. ODU also advanced to the conference championships for the second straight season.
Lavigne was a standout reliever at Virginia and played 11 seasons in the minors after being selected in the 32nd round of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Mets. He also played with the New York Yankees and Houston Astros organizations.
At Virginia, Lavigne played shortstop and closed for the Cavaliers. He is the all-time leader at UVA in appearances with 92 and career saves with 18. He ranks fifth in single season appearances with 27 in 1997, and led the Cavaliers in saves in 1998 with seven and 2000 with six. As a hitter, he still holds the school's all-time mark for being hit by a pitch 48 times.
“I had an incredible five years working at ODU,” noted Lavigne. “I would like to thank Dr. Selig for giving me my first coaching opportunity when I had no coaching experience. I would also like to thank Coach Finwood for keeping me on his staff when he came to ODU. He taught me a lot about coaching baseball players as well as how to mentor young men. I will miss working with my pitchers at ODU, but I am very excited for this new opportunity and challenge at Norfolk Academy.”
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