Brian Cavanaugh Named Baseball Director of Operations
December 19, 2006 | Baseball
Dec. 19, 2006
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Former Pirate baseball standout Brian Cavanaugh has been named Director of Baseball Operations at East Carolina University head coach Billy Godwin announced on Tuesday.
The Monroe, Conn. native and four-year letter winner helped the Pirates to four NCAA Regional appearances (2002-05), one Super Regional (2004), a combined 163-86-2 record and became the third recipient of the honorary No. 23 jersey which was the number worn by ECU head coach Keith LeClair throughout his coaching and playing career.
The number is awarded annually to a deserving player who best displays the hustle, determination and desire that made LeClair a great coach and player. Ben Sanderson wore No. 23 in 2003, Jamie Paige in 2004, and Adam Witter in 2006.
As a first-team All-Conference USA selection his senior year, Cavanaugh finished the season with a C-USA leading .382 average, belted seven home runs with 36 RBI and 14 stolen bases. He led the Pirates in hits (79), total bases (120), triples (4), slugging percentage (.580), on base percentage (.444) and was second in runs scored (50). Cavanaugh was also named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings Sporting Goods All-East Regional Team, All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and first-team selection to the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) University Team.
Cavanaugh was selected in the 21st round on day two of the 2005 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the San Diego Padres.
"We are ecstatic about having Brian join our staff as the Director of Baseball Operations," said Godwin. "Brian is another former player that has great devotion and loyalty to East Carolina University. His energy and work ethic will be a positive influence in our program."
During his junior campaign, he was a member of the 2004 Super Regional squad that posted a school-best 51 wins and collected their first regular season C-USA title with a 25-5 conference record. The Pirates set a conference record with 22 straight wins, included six conference sweeps, and was ranked as high as No. 3 in the country and remained ranked in the top 10 of the four major collegiate polls (NCBWA, Collegiate Baseball, Baseball America and ESPN/Sports Weekly Coaches) during the second half of the season. Cavanaugh closed out the season with a .200 batting average with one home run in 39 games played.
As a freshman and sophomore, Cavanaugh played in 61 games making 22 starts posting a .222 average.
During his freshman campaign he was a member of the 2002 Conference USA Tournament Championship team that posted a 4-0 record and earned a NCAA Regional bid to the Clemson Regional.
Off the field Cavanaugh was a four-time selection to the C-USA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll, eight-time ECU Director of Athletics Honor Roll selection and a two-time PCS Phosphate All-Academic Team (2003-04 and 2004-05) member.
"I am very blessed with this opportunity to come and work for East Carolina," said Cavanaugh. "I am fired up to be back around the players and couldn't be happier with the staff I am working with. I can't wait to get started and look forward to a great season in 2007."
After spending a year in the San Diego Padres farm system (2005-06), Cavanaugh returned to ECU to finish his undergraduate degree (2006) in physical education (teacher preparation).
