After eight seasons at the helm of the St. Clair College men's baseball team head coach Dave Cooper has decided it's time to walk away. "With the uncertainty of this pandemic I think it's a good time to turn it over to some younger enthusiasm". said Cooper. "With this pandemic I have learned I have plenty to do without that commitment. It's time to go back and help kids in the developmental stage".
Cooper didn't waste any time establishing the Saints as a powerhouse when he took over in 2012. He guided the team to the Canadian Inter-Collegiate Baseball Association championship that fall. The following season St. Clair began a run of five straight OCAA championships and put together an impressive 41-game winning streak between 2014 and 2016. St. Clair also won a college national championship in 2017. Cooper had an OCAA regular season record of 124-22 and was 46-11 in the playoffs. He is proud of the two titles the Saints won in 2013 and 2014 when the OCAA challenged the OUA for a combined Championship tournament.
Roberto Duncan will take over the reign as head coach while Tristan Bouchat becomes Associate Head Coach. Casey Boutette and Eric Cunningham join the staff as assistants while Kyle Breitner stay onboard as pitching coach. Kevin Dion and Mitchell Prsa also join the coaching staff.
Cooper will stay connected to St. Clair as head coach of the Green Giants summer collegiate program. "The Green Giants will keep me busy". said Cooper.
“We are thrilled Dave will continue to be involved in the college’s baseball program and be a mentor to an impressive group of his alumni as they carry the St. Clair Baseball tradition forward,” said St. Clair College V.P. Ron Seguin.