MCC to Drop Baseball Program

In an email to faculty and staff dated July 13, 2011 MCC President Dr. Gena Glickman announced the “elimination of our baseball program.”

Citing a need to cope with a block grant cut of about one $1M, “these difficult choices are made after much deliberation about our options in light of our mission, culture, and core functions.”

Though more cuts are expected, the baseball program was the only one specified in the email notification.

“I know this is heart-wrenching for all of us and for our students,” Glickman stated in the email.

The Cougars are four-time defending Region 21 champions and finished third at the NJCAA Division III World Series in May.

“I’m shocked and disappointed,” 12th year head coach Chris Strahowski said. “I feel horrible for our athletes who needed us academically and athletically to reach their goals.”

MCC has fielded a baseball team since 1970, won the Region 21 (New England) championship the past four years and participated in the NJCAA Division III World Series six times (1993, ‘94, 2008, ’09, ’10 and ’11). The program has had three players drafted by major league franchises – Steve Roath (St. Louis, 1981), Todd Mericer (Cincinnati, 1987) and Liam Ohlmann (Milwaukee, 2008).

“We often get the type of kid who needs us either fiscally, academically or athletically to mature,” said Strahowski who has produced nine All-American players and 67 All-New England selections during his tenure. “For the state not to have any community college baseball is sad indeed, especially with our track record on the field and with sending our players to quality four-year institutions.”

Two-time NJCAA All-American Kevin Madera, who was 13-1 with a 1.45 ERA in 23 junior college starts and earned a scholarship to Southern Connecticut State University. Madera follows Steve Simon, who was also an All-American at MCC before transferring to Southern for his junior and senior years.

Strahowski has compiled a 217-172-3 record over 12 seasons at MCC and was named Connecticut College Coach-of-the-Year by the American Legion for 2009.