July 10, 2007

TCNJ'S DELL RESIGNS TO ACCEPT POSITION WITH
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

LIONS' SKIPPER NAMED MLB'S DIRECTOR OF BASEBALL OPERATIONS IN ASIA

The College of New Jersey’s head baseball coach, Rick Dell has announced his resignation from the College to accept a position as the Director of Baseball Operations in Asia for Major League Baseball and will be based in Beijing, China. Dell will assume his new role on September 1, but will continue working on international programs throughout the summer in China.

Interim Director of Athletics John Castaldo noted, "It is with happiness and pride that TCNJ wishes Rick Dell much success in his new position with Major League Baseball.  For the past 27 years, Rick has served The College of New Jersey with the utmost professionalism and integrity.

His coaching accomplishments and accolades on the baseball diamond surely speak for themselves. What needs to be noted however is his positive influence and guidance in helping to mold and develop our student-athletes with the highest degree of pride and dignity. Rick has been an excellent role model both within and outside our department. We are sadden to see him go but excited for him as he embarks on a life-long dream of working with Major League Baseball."

 Dell noted, “During the past twenty-seven years it has been an honor and a privilege to be the Head Baseball Coach at The College of New Jersey. I have been fortunate to have worked in a positive and progressive environment provided by The College and to have been surrounded by quality players, coaches, parents and alumni, particularly my long time assistants Bill Dearden, Dean Glus, and Ed Yaris. I will miss the relationships, here at TCNJ but look forward to following the successes of the baseball team in years to come.”

Dell leaves TCNJ after 27 seasons with the College serving as the one-time men’s soccer coach as well as the program’s current head baseball coach. During his stint with the College, Dell amassed a combined collegiate coaching record of 890-391-33.

The 2007 season marked the 25th full season for Rick Dell as head coach of TCNJ’s baseball team. In the summer of 1995, Dell had been the head coach of two of TCNJ’s most successful men’s athletic teams: the men’s soccer and baseball teams. Dell has accumulated over 800 career wins at TCNJ, having accumulated 19 NCAA Tournament berths. He was already the College’s all-time leader in baseball, and ended his men’s soccer coaching career as the College’s all-time victory leader having produced a 182-60-23 record during his 14 seasons at the helm of the program. He served as the Lions’ skipper for 1049 games including the 2007 season.

In 21 plus seasons with the baseball team, including his first year as interim pilot, Dell directed the baseball team to a 708-331-10 record. He earned his 700th career win earlier this past season and his 2007 Lions earned the program’s third straight NJAC Championship to earn an NCAA bid. The last 16 years have resulted in new high-water marks for baseball at TCNJ. The team has compiled a won-loss record of 487-201-5 from 1991–2007, while netting NCAA Regional Tournament appearances 15 times since 1985. The Lions have appeared in the NCAA Regionals from 1985–87, 1990–94, 1998–2000, and again in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. In 1991, The College of New Jersey enjoyed its greatest baseball campaign ever, going 34-15-1 and finishing runner-up to the University of Southern Maine in the NCAA Championship game of the Division III World Series. That same year, Dell was rewarded with a selection as the Coach of the Year by the New Jersey Baseball Coaches Association while also earning NCAA Regional Coach of the Year honors as well.

A native of Trenton who excelled in both soccer and baseball at McCorristin High School, and nearby Mercer County Community College, Dell assumed the head baseball coaching position at the College midway through the 1982 season. From 1983 until 1995, his squads won at least 20 games, while the 1998 squad returned to that level recording 29 wins.

Dell was named the most valuable player twice as a pitcher for McCorristin High and led his team to a state title. In college, he starred for the Division I Mountaineers of Appalachian State, playing both soccer and baseball. After graduating in 1977, he went on to play third base for the Lenior Kings for six years. The semipro team from North Carolina won the state championship each year and posted two national crowns.

Since 1989 Dell has spent his summers instructing baseball players in abroad training amateur and professional teams in Italy, Germany, Estonia, Australia, and New Zealand with the United States Baseball Federation and Major League Baseball International. Ten years ago, Dell was named the director of the Greater Philadelphia Christmas Baseball Camp. In 1996, Dell added Indonesia to his list of travels while working for USA Baseball. In 1999, he traveled to the Philippines and New Zealand, while serving as a coordinator for game development in Asia/Pacific for Major League Baseball.

Six summers ago, he became the first representative from Major League Baseball to go into China, while serving as a coordinator for game development in both Asia and the Pacific. Ten years ago, Dell was selected to serve as a clinic leader for Major League Baseball International European Tour, which was held in Scandinavia in 1997. Three years ago, he became the first Major League Baseball representative to go to Uzbekistan and India and did extensive work in India. Two summers ago, he was selected by Major League Baseball as part of the European Elite Academy with Jim Lefebrve, Bruce Hurst, Lee Smith, and Rod Carew.

He also led MLB’s trip to Cambodia in July of 2005 and this past year traveled to Tirrenia, Italy for three weeks on the staff with the Major League Baseball European Academy. He also traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam to meet with political and university officials. He finished the trip by conducting a summit meeting in Manila, Philippines for the country’s baseball leaders.