Photo by: PHOTO BY BENNETT SCARBOROUGH
Gardner-Webb Agrees To Contract Extension For Head Baseball Coach Jim Chester
June 18, 2021 | Baseball
BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb University and head baseball coach Jim Chester signed a contract extension on Friday afternoon.
Chester was the 2021 Big South Conference Co-Coach of the Year and was recently rated by Baseball America as one of the nation's top young head coaching prospects.
""In his first full, non-COVID season as our head baseball coach, Jim Chester delivered on the promise of building a team with a blue-collar, never-say-die approach to competition," said Gardner-Webb President Dr. William Downs. "Coach Chester gave Gardner-Webb fans an exciting winning season in 2021, and he now takes a wave of positive momentum into the recruiting offseason. I'm delighted that we could demonstrate our confidence in Coach Chester by signing this contract and extending his leadership into the future. With Jim Chester in the dugout, I have every reason to believe our Runnin' Bulldogs will be perennial contenders, will rise to the top of our conference, and will ultimately punch a ticket to Omaha."
Chester led Gardner-Webb to a 29-23 overall mark in 2021, including an impressive 27-13 mark in Big South Conference action. That surge saw the Runnin' Bulldogs finish just one game out of second place by season's end.
"Our baseball program is in the right hands, and we are excited to extend this contract opportunity for Jim," said Vice President for Athletics Chuck Burch. "The 2021 season provided our fans with a glimpse of what is possible with this program and we look forward to many more thrilling moments with Jim Chester in charge of the Runnin' Bulldogs."
Chester has 37 wins under his belt so far in Boiling Springs and has a 385-287-2 career mark in 15 seasons as a college head coach. He mentored seven All-Big South Conference selections this past season – the most ever for Gardner-Webb in baseball.
"Our family would like to thank Dr. William Downs and Vice President for Athletics Chuck Burch for their support and commitment to the Gardner-Webb baseball program," said Chester. "My wife Lindzey, daughter Marin and son JJ have fallen in love with Gardner-Webb University and the Boiling Springs, N.C., community. The baseball family here is strong and getting stronger. We can't wait to build on the momentum of the 2021 season and pursue a Big South Championship in 2022."
Chester was the 2021 Big South Conference Co-Coach of the Year and was recently rated by Baseball America as one of the nation's top young head coaching prospects.
""In his first full, non-COVID season as our head baseball coach, Jim Chester delivered on the promise of building a team with a blue-collar, never-say-die approach to competition," said Gardner-Webb President Dr. William Downs. "Coach Chester gave Gardner-Webb fans an exciting winning season in 2021, and he now takes a wave of positive momentum into the recruiting offseason. I'm delighted that we could demonstrate our confidence in Coach Chester by signing this contract and extending his leadership into the future. With Jim Chester in the dugout, I have every reason to believe our Runnin' Bulldogs will be perennial contenders, will rise to the top of our conference, and will ultimately punch a ticket to Omaha."
Chester led Gardner-Webb to a 29-23 overall mark in 2021, including an impressive 27-13 mark in Big South Conference action. That surge saw the Runnin' Bulldogs finish just one game out of second place by season's end.
"Our baseball program is in the right hands, and we are excited to extend this contract opportunity for Jim," said Vice President for Athletics Chuck Burch. "The 2021 season provided our fans with a glimpse of what is possible with this program and we look forward to many more thrilling moments with Jim Chester in charge of the Runnin' Bulldogs."
Chester has 37 wins under his belt so far in Boiling Springs and has a 385-287-2 career mark in 15 seasons as a college head coach. He mentored seven All-Big South Conference selections this past season – the most ever for Gardner-Webb in baseball.
"Our family would like to thank Dr. William Downs and Vice President for Athletics Chuck Burch for their support and commitment to the Gardner-Webb baseball program," said Chester. "My wife Lindzey, daughter Marin and son JJ have fallen in love with Gardner-Webb University and the Boiling Springs, N.C., community. The baseball family here is strong and getting stronger. We can't wait to build on the momentum of the 2021 season and pursue a Big South Championship in 2022."
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