Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Tabs Mark Van Ameyde As New Head Baseball Coach
7/15/2014 5:40:00 PM | Baseball
Van Ameyde set to become the sixth head coach in the program’s history
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University Vice President and Director of Athletics Heather Lyke announced today, July 15, that Mark Van Ameyde (pronounced VAN-uh-mead) has been named as the Eagles' new head baseball coach. Van Ameyde returns to Ypsilanti after spending the past six seasons at Michigan State University.
"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Mark Van Ameyde as our next head baseball coach," said Lyke. "From the time we first visited with Coach Van Ameyde, we saw a natural leader who is prepared to be our head baseball coach. His passion for teaching student-athletes life lessons and building championship teams through the game of baseball make him an ideal candidate to lead our baseball program."
"I am excited, grateful and humbled to be the next Head Baseball Coach at Eastern Michigan University," stated Van Ameyde. "I want to thank Director of Athletics Heather Lyke, Senior Associate AD Chris Hoppe and all those on the search committee for this opportunity. I also need to recognize and thank Chris Czarnik who hired me at the University of Detroit, Pete Wilk who gave me an opportunity at Georgetown and of course Jake Boss at Michigan State. Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't thank my wife, Melissa, for her constant support throughout my career."
Van Ameyde brings 16 years of coaching experience to EMU, including one season as the Eagles' assistant coach in 2008 when the Green and White won the Mid-American Conference Tournament to clinch a berth to the NCAA Regionals. Following that season, he and former EMU Head Coach Jake Boss Jr. took their talents to East Lansing, Mich. to lead the MSU baseball program, where the duo has led the Spartans to continued success, going 194-137 (.586) in six seasons.
"Advancing to two College World Series in the 1970s under the recently departed Ron Oestrike and continuing throughout the years, the baseball tradition here is very strong," Van Ameyde noted. "Having contributed to the championship tradition in 2008 with Jake Boss, I am confident we can bring that level of success back to the EMU program. I believe that the current players we have here plus the infusion of new leadership will allow us to make immediate improvement and pave the way for future success. "The program will be built on relationships and trust. I want our players to know what they are going to get from the coaching staff every day: a consistency in approach, attitude and work ethic. This type of atmosphere will allow for maximum growth in our student-athletes."
Van Ameyde has been one of the key components to MSU's success the past six seasons, including helping the program to its first Big Ten Conference Championship in 32 years in 2011 and a berth in the NCAA Regionals in 2012. Under Van Ameyde's guidance, the Spartan pitching staff has shown significant improvement by dropping the team ERA year after year. As the team's pitching coach, Van Ameyde has coached seven different Spartans that have had a chance to play professional baseball, including six draftees.
In 2014, the Spartan pitching staff compiled a 3.05 ERA, the 10th lowest in program history. One year prior, MSU also held opponents to a .240 batting average, which tied for the best in the Big Ten. For the second consecutive year, MSU ranked in the top 40 nationally in walks allowed per nine innings (22nd at 2.73), WHIP (14th at 1.18) and ERA (36th at 3.22)
During the 2012 run to the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans had one of their best seasons in school history on the mound. MSU recorded 389 strikeouts, second most in the school record book, and compiled a 3.28 ERA, the 10th lowest in the history of the program and the best ERA for a Spartan staff since 1972. The Spartans led the Big Ten in opposing batting average (.249), saves (15) and pickoffs (12) while ranking second in strikeouts and third in ERA. Michigan State also ranked among the top 40 nationally in walks allowed per nine innings (22nd at 2.76), WHIP (33rd at 1.24) and ERA (35th at 3.28). All three of Michigan State's Big Ten starters - Tony Bucciferro, Andrew Waszak and David Garner - were named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week during the 2012 season, a first in school history.
In 2011, MSU had two first-team All-Big Ten starting pitchers (Kurt Wunderlich, Bucciferro) for the first time in school history. The bullpen was equally effective, ranking second in the Big Ten with 16 saves. Tony Wieber led the way with a team-high eight saves, tying for third-most in an MSU season, to garner third-team All-Big Ten accolades. Van Ameyde also mentored Garner, who collected five victories on the mound and was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team. Overall, the Spartans finished third in the Big Ten with a 4.08 staff ERA, the lowest ERA for the program since 1978. MSU also walked the third-fewest batters (172) in the conference and the 332 strikeouts were the fifth most in school history.
During MSU's 34-win campaign in 2010, the Spartans ranked third in the Big Ten in ERA and allowed the fewest amount of runs and walks in the conference. Michigan State also recorded 335 strikeouts as a staff, the fourth-highest total in school history. All three of MSU's Big Ten starting pitchers - A.J. Achter, Wunderlich and Bucciferro - ranked among the top 11 in the conference in innings pitched. Achter, who was drafted in the 46th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by Minnesota, ranked second in school history and third in the Big Ten in 2010 with 98.2 innings pitched. He has been selected to play in the AAA All-Star Game later this week. A third-team All-Big selection, Wunderlich led the team and tied for fifth in the conference with eight wins. Six Spartans on the staff collected at least four wins on the mound, and closer Kurtis Frymier tied for third in school history with eight saves.
In Van Ameyde's first season in East Lansing, MSU ranked fourth in the Big Ten in ERA and opposing batting average. MSU's 326 runs and 537 hits allowed in 2009 were each the second-lowest in the conference. The Spartan pitching staff also totaled 302 strikeouts, which was the most by a MSU squad since 2004 and the ninth-highest single-season total in school history. The Spartan pitching staff also picked-off a league-high 19 base runners. Van Ameyde was also a part of the Spartans' first no-hitter in over 16 years as on April 4, senior pitcher Nolan Moody no-hit Northwestern in the first-ever game at McLane Baseball Stadium.
Prior to joining the Spartans in 2009, Van Ameyde helped Eastern Michigan win the MAC West Division title and the MAC Tournament Championship while earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament during the 2008 campaign. His pitching staff showed steady improvement throughout the season, as the Eagles won 25 of their last 40 games heading into postseason play. In conference games, Robert Wendzicki led the league in saves with seven while Matt Shoemaker posted a perfect 3-0 record. Former EMU pitchers Dan Puls and Shoemaker both signed free agent contracts with the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels, respectively, following the 2008 season under Van Ameyde's tutelage.
As an assistant at Georgetown, Van Ameyde guided the pitching rotation to numerous team records, including most strikeouts in a season, fewest walks in a season and the lowest team ERA in 23 years. In 2006, the Hoyas posted the most Big East Conference victories since 1985. He also served as recruiting coordinator for the Hoya baseball program, was responsible for recruiting trips, and ran the annual Georgetown Baseball Camp.
Before his stop at Georgetown, Van Ameyde spent four seasons on staff at the University of Detroit-Mercy. He led UDM to the top of the Horizon League in batting average as the team's hitting instructor, in addition to serving as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. From 1999-2000, Van Ameyde was the head coach at St. Mary's College, where he was responsible for the implementation of the program. He led St. Mary's College to the NSCAA World Series in 2000.
Van Ameyde earned two letters pitching for Detroit, garnering all-conference and team MVP honors in 1994. He also pitched at Henry Ford Community College for two years and helped the team to a regional championship in 1991.
Van Ameyde graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication from UDM in 1996. He is currently pursuing his master's degree in sports administration from Wayne State.
Van Ameyde and his wife, Melissa, have three sons: Chase, Cole and Cash.
"For our fans, recruits and alumni of the program, we will be a team that does the little things right, plays the game hard and competes every day," Van Ameyde mentioned. "The responsibility to lead this program is something I look forward to and I cannot wait to get started."
"We are thrilled to welcome Coach Mark Van Ameyde as our next head baseball coach," said Lyke. "From the time we first visited with Coach Van Ameyde, we saw a natural leader who is prepared to be our head baseball coach. His passion for teaching student-athletes life lessons and building championship teams through the game of baseball make him an ideal candidate to lead our baseball program."
"I am excited, grateful and humbled to be the next Head Baseball Coach at Eastern Michigan University," stated Van Ameyde. "I want to thank Director of Athletics Heather Lyke, Senior Associate AD Chris Hoppe and all those on the search committee for this opportunity. I also need to recognize and thank Chris Czarnik who hired me at the University of Detroit, Pete Wilk who gave me an opportunity at Georgetown and of course Jake Boss at Michigan State. Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't thank my wife, Melissa, for her constant support throughout my career."
Van Ameyde brings 16 years of coaching experience to EMU, including one season as the Eagles' assistant coach in 2008 when the Green and White won the Mid-American Conference Tournament to clinch a berth to the NCAA Regionals. Following that season, he and former EMU Head Coach Jake Boss Jr. took their talents to East Lansing, Mich. to lead the MSU baseball program, where the duo has led the Spartans to continued success, going 194-137 (.586) in six seasons.
"Advancing to two College World Series in the 1970s under the recently departed Ron Oestrike and continuing throughout the years, the baseball tradition here is very strong," Van Ameyde noted. "Having contributed to the championship tradition in 2008 with Jake Boss, I am confident we can bring that level of success back to the EMU program. I believe that the current players we have here plus the infusion of new leadership will allow us to make immediate improvement and pave the way for future success. "The program will be built on relationships and trust. I want our players to know what they are going to get from the coaching staff every day: a consistency in approach, attitude and work ethic. This type of atmosphere will allow for maximum growth in our student-athletes."
Van Ameyde has been one of the key components to MSU's success the past six seasons, including helping the program to its first Big Ten Conference Championship in 32 years in 2011 and a berth in the NCAA Regionals in 2012. Under Van Ameyde's guidance, the Spartan pitching staff has shown significant improvement by dropping the team ERA year after year. As the team's pitching coach, Van Ameyde has coached seven different Spartans that have had a chance to play professional baseball, including six draftees.
In 2014, the Spartan pitching staff compiled a 3.05 ERA, the 10th lowest in program history. One year prior, MSU also held opponents to a .240 batting average, which tied for the best in the Big Ten. For the second consecutive year, MSU ranked in the top 40 nationally in walks allowed per nine innings (22nd at 2.73), WHIP (14th at 1.18) and ERA (36th at 3.22)
During the 2012 run to the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans had one of their best seasons in school history on the mound. MSU recorded 389 strikeouts, second most in the school record book, and compiled a 3.28 ERA, the 10th lowest in the history of the program and the best ERA for a Spartan staff since 1972. The Spartans led the Big Ten in opposing batting average (.249), saves (15) and pickoffs (12) while ranking second in strikeouts and third in ERA. Michigan State also ranked among the top 40 nationally in walks allowed per nine innings (22nd at 2.76), WHIP (33rd at 1.24) and ERA (35th at 3.28). All three of Michigan State's Big Ten starters - Tony Bucciferro, Andrew Waszak and David Garner - were named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week during the 2012 season, a first in school history.
In 2011, MSU had two first-team All-Big Ten starting pitchers (Kurt Wunderlich, Bucciferro) for the first time in school history. The bullpen was equally effective, ranking second in the Big Ten with 16 saves. Tony Wieber led the way with a team-high eight saves, tying for third-most in an MSU season, to garner third-team All-Big Ten accolades. Van Ameyde also mentored Garner, who collected five victories on the mound and was named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team. Overall, the Spartans finished third in the Big Ten with a 4.08 staff ERA, the lowest ERA for the program since 1978. MSU also walked the third-fewest batters (172) in the conference and the 332 strikeouts were the fifth most in school history.
During MSU's 34-win campaign in 2010, the Spartans ranked third in the Big Ten in ERA and allowed the fewest amount of runs and walks in the conference. Michigan State also recorded 335 strikeouts as a staff, the fourth-highest total in school history. All three of MSU's Big Ten starting pitchers - A.J. Achter, Wunderlich and Bucciferro - ranked among the top 11 in the conference in innings pitched. Achter, who was drafted in the 46th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by Minnesota, ranked second in school history and third in the Big Ten in 2010 with 98.2 innings pitched. He has been selected to play in the AAA All-Star Game later this week. A third-team All-Big selection, Wunderlich led the team and tied for fifth in the conference with eight wins. Six Spartans on the staff collected at least four wins on the mound, and closer Kurtis Frymier tied for third in school history with eight saves.
In Van Ameyde's first season in East Lansing, MSU ranked fourth in the Big Ten in ERA and opposing batting average. MSU's 326 runs and 537 hits allowed in 2009 were each the second-lowest in the conference. The Spartan pitching staff also totaled 302 strikeouts, which was the most by a MSU squad since 2004 and the ninth-highest single-season total in school history. The Spartan pitching staff also picked-off a league-high 19 base runners. Van Ameyde was also a part of the Spartans' first no-hitter in over 16 years as on April 4, senior pitcher Nolan Moody no-hit Northwestern in the first-ever game at McLane Baseball Stadium.
Prior to joining the Spartans in 2009, Van Ameyde helped Eastern Michigan win the MAC West Division title and the MAC Tournament Championship while earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament during the 2008 campaign. His pitching staff showed steady improvement throughout the season, as the Eagles won 25 of their last 40 games heading into postseason play. In conference games, Robert Wendzicki led the league in saves with seven while Matt Shoemaker posted a perfect 3-0 record. Former EMU pitchers Dan Puls and Shoemaker both signed free agent contracts with the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels, respectively, following the 2008 season under Van Ameyde's tutelage.
As an assistant at Georgetown, Van Ameyde guided the pitching rotation to numerous team records, including most strikeouts in a season, fewest walks in a season and the lowest team ERA in 23 years. In 2006, the Hoyas posted the most Big East Conference victories since 1985. He also served as recruiting coordinator for the Hoya baseball program, was responsible for recruiting trips, and ran the annual Georgetown Baseball Camp.
Before his stop at Georgetown, Van Ameyde spent four seasons on staff at the University of Detroit-Mercy. He led UDM to the top of the Horizon League in batting average as the team's hitting instructor, in addition to serving as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. From 1999-2000, Van Ameyde was the head coach at St. Mary's College, where he was responsible for the implementation of the program. He led St. Mary's College to the NSCAA World Series in 2000.
Van Ameyde earned two letters pitching for Detroit, garnering all-conference and team MVP honors in 1994. He also pitched at Henry Ford Community College for two years and helped the team to a regional championship in 1991.
Van Ameyde graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication from UDM in 1996. He is currently pursuing his master's degree in sports administration from Wayne State.
Van Ameyde and his wife, Melissa, have three sons: Chase, Cole and Cash.
"For our fans, recruits and alumni of the program, we will be a team that does the little things right, plays the game hard and competes every day," Van Ameyde mentioned. "The responsibility to lead this program is something I look forward to and I cannot wait to get started."
| The Mark Van Ameyde File | ||
| Name: | Mark Van Ameyde | |
| High School: | Novi H.S. - Novi, Mich. | |
| College: | University of Detroit - Bachelor's degree in Communications Studies - 1996 | |
| Family: | Wife - Melissa; Sons - Chase, Cole and Cash | |
| Coaching/Playing Experience | ||
| Year | School/Company | Position |
| 2012-14 | Michigan State University | Associate Head Baseball Coach |
| 2009-11 | Michigan State University | Assistant Baseball Coach/Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2008 | Eastern Michigan University | Assistant Baseball Coach |
| 2007 | Georgetown University | Associate Head Baseball Coach |
| 2005-06 | Georgetown University | Assistant Baseball Coach |
| 2004 | University of Detroit Mercy | Associate Head Baseball Coach |
| 2001-03 | University of Detroit Mercy | Assistant Baseball Coach/Recruiting Coordinator |
| 1999-00 | St. Mary's College | Head Baseball Coach |
| 1993-94 | University of Detroit Mercy | Student-Athlete |
| 1991-92 | Henry Ford Community College | Student-Athlete |
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