Ricker takes over for McNamara as head coach at Post

WATERBURY, Conn. -- Post athletic director Michael Mannetti announced Monday the promotion of Ray Ricker to head coach. Ricker has spent the past seven seasons as associate head coach under AJ McNamara. McNamara stepped down from the position to become the department’s athletic operations manager.

During his tenure as associate head coach, the Eagles have led the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference in batting average twice. In 2009, Post hit the most triples in NCAA Division II.

Ricker has also been a prominent figure in summer ball and in 2013 served as the hitting coach for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League. At Bourne, Ricker mentored 2013 CCBL MVP, catcher Max Pentecost of Kennesaw State. Pentecost was selected 11th overall in the 2014 Major League Baseball draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. Prior to the CCBL, Ricker spent three years coaching in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

Off the field, Ricker has spearheaded the “Sacrifice Fly” community service campaign. Last year his team painted the teen center at the Waterbury Boys and Girls Club and cooked meals at the Ronald McDonald house in New Haven, Connecticut.

“I am extremely excited for the next chapter of Post baseball, and I look forward to building on our recent successes both on and off the field. It is a great time to be an Eagle, and I look forward to helping lead this program to new heights for many years to come,” Ricker said.

McNamara is Post baseball’s all-time wins leader, compiling a record of 167-174-2 in eight seasons at the helm.

In his new position, McNamara will report directly to Mannetti and assist with contest management, game operations and other duties within the athletic department. Post currently has 18 Division II programs, sprint football and three equestrian teams, which makes it the largest department within the CACC.

McNamara led the Eagles to three CACC tournament appearances. In 2010, Post earned the fifth seed in the tournament and defeated top-seeded Wilmington twice on its way to an appearance in the conference championship game. McNamara mentored 22 All-CACC student-athletes and five all-region honorees during his tenure.

This past season the Eagles advanced to the second round of the CACC tournament for the first time since 2011. Post landed three on the All-CACC team including first-team rising senior Don Crook.