ELON, N.C. – Elon University Director of Athletics Dave Blank announced today that the school and 12th-year Phoenix head baseball coach Mike Kennedy have agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension which will keep him with the Southern Conference institution through the 2012 season.
 
“We are very appreciative of what Coach Kennedy has done and continues to do at Elon,” Blank said. “He has built our baseball program into a consistent contender at both the Southern Conference and national levels. President (Leo) Lambert and I felt it was important to demonstrate the university’s commitment to Coach Kennedy for the way he and our baseball program have represented Elon University.”

The announcement arrives on the heels of the Phoenix’s 2008 baseball season in which Kennedy’s squad finished 44-18 while claiming the program’s first Southern Conference tournament title, its second SoCon regular-season championship in three years and its third NCAA Regional appearance in seven years. Over the past 12 campaigns, the two-time SoCon Coach of the Year has amassed 395 victories – 18 over top-25 teams the past 10 years.

“I am truly grateful for the support of President Lambert, Coach Blank and the entire administration,” Kennedy said. “It is exciting to know that they appreciate and recognize the time and effort this staff has put in to get the Phoenix baseball program where it is today. This is a reflection of all of the players who have come through our program over the years. Elon is a special place and I am honored to be in this position.”

Under Kennedy’s guidance, the Phoenix baseball team has accumulated 11 winning seasons during the past 12 campaigns. Kennedy’s teams have now posted at least 30 victories in each of their nine official NCAA Division I seasons.