WEST CHESTER, Pa. -
Mike LaRosa (WCU '05) was named head coach of the West Chester University Golden Rams baseball program it was announced Tuesday by Director of Athletics,
Terry Beattie.
LaRosa becomes the 29th head coach in West Chester baseball history, succeeding Jad Prachniak, who stepped down in November to take a job on the baseball staff at University of Delaware. LaRosa will make the jump to the Division II ranks, after leading nearby Widener University's Division III baseball squad for the past nine seasons.
"I am extremely humbled to have been selected as the next head baseball coach at West Chester University," LaRosa said. "I would like to thank Vice-President, Dr. Zebulun Davenport, the Director of Athletics,
Terry Beattie, and the rest of the search committee for this great opportunity. The WCU baseball program has such a long-standing tradition of success built by Coach Prachniak and those before him, and I am excited to have the opportunity to carry on this tradition. As an alumnus of WCU, I could not think of a better fit for myself and my family."
While at Widener, LaRosa engineered an overall record of 195-155-2 (.557) while posting a mark of 94-71 (.569) within the Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth. He won two MAC Commonwealth titles in nine years (2014, 2016) and an ECAC Southeast Regional title (2015). He becomes the seventh head coach on staff at WCU to return to his alma mater and joins both basketball head coaches,
Damien Blair and
Kiera Wooden, as WCU hall of famers returning to campus.
LaRosa was a four-year starter at second base for West Chester from 2002-05, serving as captain his junior and senior seasons. He was tabbed All-PSAC all four years and was named the NCAA Division II National Defensive Player of the Year in 2003. In addition, LaRosa graduated with a .362 career batting average and ranks fifth in school history with 234 hits. He helped the Golden Rams win two PSAC East regular-season titles and make three trips to the NCAA Tournament. In 2017, LaRosa was inducted into the school's athletics hall of fame.
"I am excited to welcome Mike back to WCU," said Beattie. "It was evident throughout the search process that Mike has a passion for his alma mater. An accomplished player and head baseball coach, he stood out from a very talented pool of candidates.
"Being the head baseball coach at WCU comes with high expectations, and Mike is well prepared to continue and build upon our winning tradition. I would also like to thank the members of the search committee for their efforts throughout our process."
In LaRosa's tenure, Widener posted six consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins and was the only team in the MAC Commonwealth to have advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament in each of the past six seasons. His Widener Pride came one win from the NCAA Division III National Finals in 2014, setting the school record for wins in a single season (33). Forty of his players have earned all-conference recognition with 14 being selected all-region. Additionally, he coached three CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, three MAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year winners and 35 academic all-conference honor roll recipients while at Widener.
Prior to Widener, LaRosa was an assistant coach at Neumann from 2010-11. He primarily was responsible for coaching the infielders, serving as the base running and assistant hitting coach as well as being the head coach of the JV program.
LaRosa, who played professionally for the New Haven County Cutters in the Canadian-American Independent Baseball League, graduated from West Chester University in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in Business Management. He earned his master's degree in Sport Management from Neumann University in 2012.
