Oct. 27, 2008

Courtesy of FAU Athletics

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Florida Atlantic University has named Ben Sanderson, a three-year coaching assistant and standout player at East Carolina University, as its assistant baseball coach. Sanderson will work with the hitters, outfielders and be an integral part of FAU's recruiting efforts.

The hiring of Sanderson finalizes the coaching staff for first-year FAU Baseball Head Coach John McCormack, who took over the program after 18-years as the Owls' top assistant.

"We are excited that Ben will be joining our family," said McCormack. "He will make an immediate impact on our players. He is a high-energy coach that brings a wealth of knowledge with him. I look forward to working with him."

Sanderson was a four-year baseball letter winner at ECU from 1999-2003, helping the Pirates win a program-record 47 games as a sophomore in 2001 and go on to qualify for the NCAA regional tournament in each of his four seasons as a starting outfielder.

"I am extremely excited to become part of the FAU family and to be associated with a baseball program with such a fine tradition," said Sanderson. "The other members of the FAU coaching staff have very fine reputations throughout the country, and I believe the sky is the limit for this program under Coach McCormack."

Before returning to work for the ECU baseball program in August 2006, Sanderson spent two years as the operations manager/strength and conditioning coordinator at the Triple Crown Baseball Center in Greenville, North Carolina. From December 2005 until August 2006, he worked as an administrator with the Durham Bulls Baseball Club.

A native of Seven Springs, North Carolina, Sanderson earned his bachelor's degree in exercise and sports science from ECU in 2003. In May 2006, he completed his master's degree in exercise and sports science with a concentration in sports management.