For the last 14 seasons, George Greer has built the Wake Forest base-ball program into a consistent winner. In recent years, Greer has moldedthe Demon Deacons into a power in the country’s toughest conference,the ACC.

By capturing the 2001 ACC Championship, Greer and Wake Forestearned its third league title in four years. No other current coach in theleague has won three rings.

Greer’s accomplishments at Wake Forest have been numerous. Theyear 2001 was a banner year for the program but especially for Greer.During the course of the season, he picked up career win number 600 andalso his 500th win as the Wake Forest skipper.

As a team last year, the Deacons won 44 games, the second-most inschool history and reached the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straightseason.

In 2000, the Demon Deacons won 40 games for the third year in a row.In 1999, Greer’s team won back-to-back ACC championships for the firsttime. In 1998, Wake Forest captured the school’s first ACC title in 21 yearsand earned an invitation to the NCAA Championship for the first timesince 1977.

Although his teams have enjoyed a high level of success recently, suc-cess is certainly not new to Greer who enters his 15th season at WakeForest in 2002.

Greer owns the distinction of being the winningest coach in school his-tory. He begins the 2002 season with an 14-year record of 515-312-3 andranks fourth all-time in the Atlantic Coast Conference in wins. He alsoowns more than 600 career victories on the Division I level including hissix-year stay at Davidson. Greer’s overall mark stands at 621-434-7 in 20seasons.

“It’s a tribute to the continued commitment the school has made tobaseball that has given me the tools to put together winning teams,” saysGreer of his success with the Deacons. “We have had outstanding groupsof student-athletes and assistant coaches who have all contributed to oursuccess, so I don’t think of this as a personal accomplishment as much asit is a Wake Forest accomplishment.”

His consistency for winning wherever he has been is one of Greer’sbiggest assets. That has never been more evident than at Wake Forest,where he has won at least 30 games in 13 of his 14 seasons, including 40-plus wins in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.

In 1998, Greer guided his talented squad to a 43-23 overall record anda 13-10 league mark, tying the school record for most ACC wins in a sea-son. The Demon Deacons boasted the ACC’s leading batter in JonPalmieri as well as the conference’s winningest pitcher and ACCTournament MVP in John Hendricks.

In 1999, Greer led the Demon Deacons to a school-record 16 ACC winsand a second place finish in the ACC, the school’s best regular-seasonleague finish since 1979. He molded the Wake Forest lineup into one ofthe most potent in the ACC, as the Deacs hit .329 as a team, scored aschool-record 8.7 runs per game, won a school-record 47 games andearned a top-10 national ranking. Three of his players – Palmieri, MikeMacDougal and Danny Borrell – earned All-American honors andMacDougal became the second first-round draft pick in school historywhen he was selected 21st by the Kansas City Royals. Andrew Riepe wasnamed the ACC Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

In 2000, Wake Forest posted a 41-20-1 record and a fourth-place fin-ish in the ACC. The Deacons were backed by the strong arms of first-

20 Wake Forest Baseball

Head Coach George Greer

The Greer Ledger

Year School W L T Pct.1982 Davidson 13 26 0 .3331983 Davidson 11 24 0 .3141984 Davidson 12 16 1 .4311985 Davidson 24 19 0 .5581986 Davidson 21 20 1 .5121987 Davidson 25 17 2 .5951988 Wake Forest 32 26 0 .5521989 Wake Forest 35 23 0 .6031990 Wake Forest 35 24 2 .5901991 Wake Forest 37 22 0 .6271992 Wake Forest 36 22 0 .6211993 Wake Forest 31 22 0 .5851994 Wake Forest 37 20 0 .6491995 Wake Forest 34 24 0 .5861996 Wake Forest 26 32 0 .4481997 Wake Forest 37 20 0 .6491998 Wake Forest 43 23 0 .6521999 Wake Forest 47 16 0 .7462000 Wake Forest 41 20 1 .6692001 Wake Forest 44 18 0 .710Division I Totals 621 434 7 .588Davidson (6 yrs) 106 122 4 .466Wake Forest (14 yrs) 515 312 3 .622Avery Point (9 yrs) 155 52 3 .745Cotuit (Cape Cod, 9 yrs) 213 143 21 .593

1998 ACC Champions

1999 ACC Champions

2001 ACC Champions

team All-ACC selection Scott Siemon, freshman All-American Ben Clayton and Borrell, who was draftedin the second round by the New York Yankees. Asa junior, Cory Sullivan was named second team All-American.

Last spring, the Deacons captured its third ACCtitle in a span of four years behind seven All-ACCselections, including Sullivan who was a first teamAll-American and David Bush, athird-team All-American closer.

Four players off the teamwere drafted in the top tenrounds of the June 2001 draft.

There’s no denying thatGreer has made the DemonDeacons an annual threat inone of America’s toughest base-ball conferences. But that’s notsurprising to those who watchedhim grow up in Rhode Island.He was a star at the Universityof Connecticut, where heearned All-America honors twotimes, and gained furtheracclaim as captain of the USA’sgold-medal winning Pan AmGames team in 1967.

His penchant for winning hasrubbed off on his playerswhether at Cotuit of the CapeCod League – where he wonthree All-Cape championshipsand one regular season title –Connecticut - Avery Point, win-ning nine titles in nine years,Davidson, or Wake Forest.

Before coming to WFU,Greer was head coach atDavidson and succeeded in get-ting that program to a competi-tive level. By the time he left inthe summer of 1987, Greer hadthree straight 20-win seasonsunder his belt, including a then-record 25 wins his final year.

Greer broke into coaching in1972 when he started the pro-gram at Connecticut-AveryPoint from scratch. His ability tojudge talent was immediatelyevidenced as he posted animpressive 155-52-3 record ineight seasons, highlighted by a31-6 record in 1981.

While many great momentshave occurred during his colle-giate coaching career, Greer isstill remembered for the out-standing teams that he coachedon Cape Cod.

As manager of Cotuit for nine years, Greer wasnamed Coach of the Year twice, including his firstseason, in addition to his league championships.Greer’s career record at Cotuit was 213-143-21.

Major league superstars like Greg Vaughn, WillClark, John Franco and Terry Steinbach have all ben-efited from Greer’s instruction and over 30 formerDeacons have realized their dream of being draftedby a major league team since 1988.

In addition, Greer has produced 24 All-Americansin his tenure at Wake Forest. Billy Masse (1988),

Warren Sawkiw (1989), John Hendricks (1998), JonPalmieri (1999), Mike MacDougal (1999) and CorySullivan (2001) were first-team choices, while ChrisKowilcik (1992), Bret Wagner (1994), Palmieri(1998), Danny Borrell (1999) and Sullivan (2000)earned second-team honors. David Bush was athird-team All-American (2001).

Jamie D’Antona was named Collegiate Baseball’sNational Freshman of the Yearin 2001.

Dave Lardieri earnedAcademic All-America honorsin 1997. Pat Malloy (1996),Palmieri (1996), MacDougal(1997), Borrell (1998), CoreySlavik (1998), Ben Clayton(2000), D’Antona (2001), KyleSleeth (2001), Adam Hanson(2001), Steve LeFaivre (2001)and Josh Hansen (2001) werefreshman All-Americans.

All-Americans are some-thing Greer knows a lot about.That is the status he reachedduring his playing career atConnecticut in the late 1960s.As a sophomore, he led theYankee Conference in battingwith a .403 average beforegaining All-America recognitionas a junior and senior.

During the summer, hestarred in the Cape Cod Leagueleading Chatham to the finalsthree straight years (1965-67).Part of his 1967 season withChatham was interrupted whenhe was chosen to captain TeamUSA team in the Pan AmGames in Winnipeg, Canada.

Greer showed why he waschosen to lead the team, bat-ting .379 during the tourna-ment (17-for-45) and deliveringthe U.S. a gold medal with abases loaded single in the bot-tom of the ninth to beat Cuba inthe best of three championship.He was unanimously elected torepresent the American teamon the medal stand.

After graduating fromUConn in 1968, he was draftedby the St. Louis Cardinals.Greer went on to post impres-sive statistics in a five-yearminor league career, which con-cluded with him being player-coach, trainer and bus driver, atSingle-A Modesto (CA) in 1973.

Greer owns the distinction of being a member ofthree Halls of Fame. He is a 1999 inductee into theGeorge Whitfield Hall of Fame, a member of theinaugural class of inductees in the Westerly (R.I.)High School Hall of Fame in 2000 and the inaugu-ral class of inductees into the University ofConnecticut-Avery Point Hall of Fame in 2001.

In January 2002, Greer received the Winston-Salem/Bill Slack Community Service Award.

Greer and his wife, Becky, have three children:Andy (29), Chezley (25) and Chip (20).

2002 Media Guide 21

Head Coach George Greer

Greer’s Major League Roster

Ruben Amaro PhilliesRandy Asador PadresJ.T. Bruett TwinsMike Buddie BrewersKevin Campbell AthleticsCris Carpenter RangersWill Clark CardinalsRon Darling AthleticsSean DePaula IndiansJohn Franco MetsJoe Girardi YankeesJoe Hesketh Red SoxBryan Hickerson GiantsKen Howell PhilliesJeff Innis MetsKevin Jarvis PadresBarry Jones PhilliesDerek Lilliquist IndiansMike MacDougal RoyalsTim Naehring Red SoxLaddie Renfroe CubsEd Sprague PiratesTim Teufel PadresTerry Steinbach TwinsGreg Vaughn PadresMark Wasinger Giants

Greer’s List of Signees

Jamie Athas GiantsRoss Atkins IndiansJake Austin PiratesDanny Borrell YankeesCarlos Brackley Red SoxMike Buddie YankeesRusty Bumgardner MarlinsGeorge Coghill Broncos-NFLDan Conway RockiesScott Daeley GiantsSteve DeFranco Free agentSean DePaula IndiansBret Donovan Red SoxJeff Drabik Free AgentJohn Hendricks MetsMichael Holmes AthleticsFrank Humber DodgersJosh Itzoe PadresKevin Jarvis RedsBuddy Jenkins ExposDavid Kennedy AngelsChris Kowilcik Free AgentMike MacDougal RoyalsLarry Marino Red SoxDave Marzano Free AgentBilly Masse YankeesMark Melito RoyalsJon Palmieri AngelsRob Penders Free AgentPeter Princi MetsPaul Reinisch TigersAndrew Riepe Red SoxJason Robbins RedsBobby Rodgers Red SoxWarren Sawkiw TigersMark Seaver OriolesBrian Shabosky Free AgentCorey Slavik CubsRob Stiegele OriolesCory Sullivan RockiesChase Voshell CardinalsBret Wagner CardinalsKyle Wagner AngelsBobby Wood Free Agent

More than 25 former players andcoaches who worked with Greer at

Wake Forest, Davidson or in the CapeCod League have gone on to coach-ing or other baseball careers on theprofessional, college and prep levels.

Head Coaches:Mikio Aoki ColumbiaGene Baker Guilford CollegeRoger Bidwell Connecticut-Avery PointDave Blanchard Griswall HS (CT)Jeff Feiler Albright College (PA)Peter Hughes Boston CollegePat Kelly The Williams School (CT)Steve Livesey Devil Rays SystemBilly Masse Yankees SystemTerry Rupp MarylandDavid Turgeon Indians SystemKyle Wagner Redland HS (PA)Steve Whitmyer Navy

Assistant Coaches:Neal Avent UNC GreensboroMatt Briggs Tennessee WesleyanRob Cooper Sacramento City CollegeBruce Crabbe Rangers SystemBill Hiller, Jr. DukeMichael Holmes Wake ForestBobby Moranda Georgia TechDave Myers Seattle MarinersMarc Palmieri Chaminade HS (NY)Jon Palmieri Georgia TechRob Penders San Jacinto JC (TX)Paul Reinisch Colony HS (NY)Tom Rossi New London HS (CT)Dan Simonds Miami (OH)

Administration:Ruben Amaro, Jr. Philadelphia PhilliesRoss Atkins Cleveland IndiansLarry Gallo North CarolinaTim Naehring Cincinnati RedsWarren Sawkiw CBC TV Color Analyst

Scouts:Jon Bonifay Tampa Bay Devil RaysMike Rikard San Diego PadresTim Teufel New York MetsTodd Thomas San Francisco GiantsMark Wasinger San Diego Padres

The Greer Coaching Tree

22 Wake Forest Baseball

Assistant Coaches

Jamie Mabe begins his second season at Wake Forest with the addedresponsibility of recruiting coordinator. Mabe works with the infielders andcatchers in addition to his duties as the team’s first base coach.

“Jamie brings experience and new energy to our recruiting coordinatorposition. His familiarity with North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgiahigh schools, his knowledge of the national junior college programs andhis experience as a head coach in collegiate summer baseball is particu-larly welcomed,” head coach George Greer said.

Mabe joins the Demon Deacons prior to the 2001 season after servingas the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Young Harris College(Ga.).

He helped guide the Mountain Lions to a Region XVII Championshipand a record of 80-39 in two years. While Mabe was on the coaching staff,the school experienced its best seasons in school history, setting records forwins both years.

During his stint at Young Harris, the team signed 11 players who wereeventually drafted by major league teams, nine USA Today HonorableMention All-Americans and 11 All-Conference selections including RegionXVII Player of the Year Ryan Fry.

Mabe played collegiately at Mount Olive College as an outfielder,where he helped the Trojans to the 1992 NAIA College World Series.

Mabe earned a teaching certificate from UNC Greensboro beforebeginning his coaching career at Augusta State where he was the first basecoach, coached the infielders and catchers in addition to assisting withrecruiting. While with the Jaguars, Mabe earned a master’s degree in edu-cation.

Last summer, Mabe served as manager for the Petersburg (Va.)Generals of the Coastal Plain League, coaching five players to the All-Starteam including the League’s Most Valuable Hitter, Anthony Bocchino.

On September 1, 2001, he married the former Tabetha Stephens. Sheis the softball coach at Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem.

Michael Holmes enters his second year on the Wake Forest baseballstaff. This season, Holmes moves into the role of pitching coach.

Holmes rejoined the Demon Deacons in January 2001 after a three-year career in the Oakland A's system. Holmes was a four-year standoutpitcher for the Demon Deacons from 1994-97 and was named the team’smost valuable player in 1996 as a junior.

“I am honored to have Michael Holmes as pitching coach,” headcoach George Greer said. “He is an outstanding teacher, motivator andhas professional experience which we needed in our program as many ofour pitchers have been high draft picks. To have one of your own comeback to coach with you is a thrill of a lifetime for me.”

Holmes was a California League All-Star and played for SouthernOregon, Visalia and Modesto.

In 1998, he was dubbed the "Best Control Pitcher" in Single-A byBaseball America. Holmes was a two-time recipient of the Dave StewartCommunity Service Award.

The Greensboro, N.C., native was drafted as a junior in the 23rd roundby the Chicago White Sox. Holmes returned for his senior season and waspicked up in the 18th round by Oakland.

Holmes finished his Wake Forest career with an 11-7 record and threwseven complete games. As a sophomore, he led all Deacon pitchers inERA and complete games. As a junior, he posted a team-high in wins.

Holmes was an ACC Honor Roll student during his time as a DemonDeacon.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to coach at my alma mater, towork under a great coach like Coach Greer and to work with quality kids.There is a lot of excitement around the program coming off a champi-onship year and I'm proud to be a part of it," Holmes said.

Last summer, Holmes served as the pitching coach for Brewster in theprestigious Cape Cod League where he guided some of the best youngpitchers in college baseball.

2002 Media Guide 23

Support Staff

Wake Forest’s volunteer assistant coach, Brad Bohannon, is in his sec-ond year with the Demon Deacons.

Bohannon came to Wake Forest after playing two years for the DuBoisCounty (Ind.) Dragons of the Frontier Independent League, where he wasan All-Star second baseman.

Bohannon earned his undergraduate degree from Berry College (Ga.)in 1998. He was an all-conference player for Berry, batting .351 with 11home runs and 96 runs batted in over his two-year span with the Vikings.

Bohannon will earn his master’s in business administration from theWake Forest Calloway School of Business and Accountancy this spring.

Matt Jennings begins his second year on the Wake Forest strength andconditioning coaching staff and his second year with the baseball team.

Jennings joined the Demon Deacons from the Tampa Bay Buccaneersof the NFL where he was a strength and conditioning assistant. Prior to histime in Tampa Bay, Jennings served as an assistant strength and condi-tioning coach at the University of Tennessee while earning his master’s inhuman performance and sport studies.

Jennings is a 1996 graduate of North Carolina where he was a three-year member of the football team and a member of the Dean’s List.

He and his wife, Jill, live in Winston-Salem.

Jeff Strahm enters his fourth year with the Sports Medicine Departmentand the baseball team. He has been on board for two of Wake Forest’sACC Championships.

Strahm works with the members of the baseball team on a day-to-daybasis in the prevention and treatment of injuries.

In addition to his duties with the baseball team, Strahm also works withthe Demon Deacon volleyball team.

Strahm graduated from Kansas State in 1998 with a degree in SportsMedicine.

He and his wife, Sarah, live in Winston-Salem.

Mike Vest is in his second year with the Wake Forest media relationsoffice and the baseball team. He handles the publicity for the baseball andmen’s soccer teams and is the editor of the football game program. Heassists with the publicity of the football and men’s and women’s basketballteams.

Vest graduated in 2000 from the University of Kansas with a degree injournalism. As an undergraduate in the KU sports information office, Vestworked with the men’s tennis and swimming programs.

Vest is a member of the National Collegiate Baseball WritersAssociation.

Ron WellmanAthletics Director

Barbara WalkerSr. Exec. Assoc. AD

Dwight LewisAssociate AD

Davis WhitfieldAssistant AD

Wayne WilliamsAssistant AD

Dr. Walt CurlTeam Doctor

Greg CollinsSports Medicine

Roxann MoodyEquipment

Jody SmithCompliance

Joe ArnoneTicket Manager

Jay LoweOperations

Steve AdamsOperations

Tal JobeClubhouse Mgr.

Alison JamesAdmin. Secretary

Tanvi ShahStudent Manager

Kristin WienekeStudent Trainer