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Entering his 6th year, Coach Batchelor is the winningest Head Women's Basketball Coach in UMES history. Under his leadership, the Lady Hawks have compiled over 70 wins, where they are 49-37 in MEAC play. His ultimate goal is to lead UMES to an NCAA tournament appearance by building a program that exemplifies high character, exceptional talent, and a diligent work ethic. Last season the Lady Hawks posted their fourth winning conference record and advanced to the MEAC tournament semi-finals. It was also the first time in over 18 years that UMES women's basketball has had back to back winning seasons. The 2008-2009 season also saw April McBride receive First Team All-Conference recognition for the second consecutive year. Coach Batchelor's staff has recruited and developed four student athletes (in five years) who finished their freshman season on the All-Rookie Team, including local standout Casey Morton, who was 2007-2008 Rookie of the Year. His staff also celebrates Kristi Veltkamp as the MEAC's inaugural Defensive Player of the Year. Coach Batchelor has over 20 years of coaching experience at a variety of different levels. Having coached men's basketball for a good half of his career, he has served as Head Coach of Villa Maria Junior College where he took that program from zero wins to double-digit wins in just one season. He also served as a Division I Men's Assistant at the University at Buffalo. He returned to his alma mater, Buffalo State College, to serve as the interim Head Men's Basketball Coach. At the conclusion of that year, he transitioned over to become the Head Women's Basketball Coach, where he has experienced his most success as a collegiate head coach. He led his team to a school record 25 wins and was the first African-American coach in both men's and women's basketball to win the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Championship in its 60-plus year existence. As a result, he was voted SUNYAC Coach of the Year. He also guided the Bengals to an NCAA Division III tournament appearance. Before coming to UMES, he also served as Head Women's Basketball Coach at Elizabeth City State University where he lead them to a third place finish along with a semi-final CIAA Conference tournament appearance. Batchelor received his Bachelor's degree from Valley Forge Christian College (VFCC) where he was a two-time National Christian College All-American point guard compiling over 1,600 points and over 800 assists. He was recently inducted into VFCC's Athletic Hall of Fame. He also earned his Master's degree in Multi-disciplinary Studies (with a concentration in Educational Leadership) from Buffalo State College. This is where his philosophy to "lead from the heart" was developed. His passion since arriving at UMES has been to recruit and develop young women that the institution would be proud to call their own. Batchelor is a grass roots educator committed to assisting all students in reaching their fullest potential. His greatest joy is being a positive contributor to the entire campus community and assisting the institution in meeting its mission statement: serve the student body of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. The UMES campus community waits with great expectations for what Coach Batchelor's Lady Hawks will accomplish in the 2009-2010 season. Fred Batchelor resides in Virginia with his wife, Odette, and their two children, Trey & Tiara. |
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