Purdue Northwest Announces Leadership of Baseball Programs

Purdue-Northwest-Announces-Leadership-of-Baseball-ProgramsWith strong leadership that has turned the Purdue University Calumet baseball team into an immediate conference contender in just three short seasons, Dave Griffin has been named the head coach of the emerging Purdue University Northwest baseball program, as announced by Purdue Northwest Director of Athletics-Designate Rick Costello.

In coordination with Griffin’s appointment, Purdue North Central head baseball coach Shane Prance has been named an assistant coach for the Purdue Northwest baseball program and will additionally serve as Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Recreational Sports on the North Central campus.

“We are excited to have Dave and Shane direct our baseball program for the emerging Purdue Northwest Pride,” Costello said of the hirings. “Both have shown tremendous leadership of the Purdue Calumet and Purdue North Central baseball teams, and we are thrilled to have them lead the way for the Purdue Northwest program.”

Added Tom Albano, Purdue Northwest Associate Athletic Director for Compliance: "The hirings of both Dave and Shane represent a great tandem that should serve the future of PNW baseball well and compliment two successfull programs, as we continue to unify and build a competititve experience that will flourish at all levels, next year and beyond."

Griffin completed his third season at the helm for the Purdue Calumet program this past spring, where he led the Peregrines to their second-straight Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament as one of the top eight teams in a competitive league. The Peregrines didn’t disappoint there, taking top-seeded Olivet Nazarene all the way to the 11th inning in what would become a tough 11-8 loss.

In his second season, the Peregrines catapulted from their inaugural campaign in 2014 to 23 victories in 2015, finishing the year 23-16 overall. The season was kickstarted by an amazing eight-game winning streak to open the year, which included a perfect 7-0 performance on the team’s spring trip to Florida at the Russ Mat Invitational. That same season, four Peregrines received postseason awards, as Cody Dykema led the way with First Team all-CCAC honors.

Griffin carries an overall record of 47-62 and a CCAC mark of 30-30 in three seasons.

“I’m very humbled by the appointment,” Griffin said. “I’m looking forward to a very exciting time at Purdue Northwestand being part of the process. I’m looking forward to working with everyone in the athletic department, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish.”

Prance recently completed his third season as head coach of the Panthers and fourth season overall, serving first as an assistant during the 2012-13 campaign. He also held the role as Coordinator of Athletics and Activities at PNC.

A former Purdue North Central standout, Prance led the Panthers to a stellar year in 2015, which saw the third-seeded squad make a run to the CCAC Tournament championship game. Purdue North Central finished 17-13 in conference play in 2015.

During his tenure, Prance has coached four all-CCAC first team selections, three second-team selections, four Gold Glove award winners and 10 all-CCAC Academic honorees.

As a player for the Panthers, Prance was a four-year pitching letter winner and set single-season program records for wins (seven), innings (84), complete games (eight) and strikeouts (95) during his senior campaign. The Portage High School alum would later play professional baseball for the Schaumburg Boomers as a starter and reliever.

“I’m just excited to move forward and see what Purdue Northwest can do,” Prance said. “I’m thankful to continue to be a part of the baseball program and for my expanded role as assistant athletic director.”

Beginning July 1, 2016, the campuses of Purdue North Central and Purdue Calumet will officially merge to become Purdue Northwest, though the merger has already been approved by the Higher Learning Commission. The athletic programs will also merge, as both baseball teams will begin competing during the 2016-17 season as one team, the Purdue Northwest Pride. The Pride will call Hammond’s Dowling Park its home field and continue to compete in the CCAC.

MORE ON DAVE GRIFFIN
Prior to coming to Purdue Calumet, Griffin established himself as one of the top high school coaches in the state of Indiana during his six-year stretch at Bishop Noll Institute. He led the Warriors to a 22-11 season in 2004, capped off by just the second state title in program history and IHSAA Coach of the Year honors. Griffin returned to the 2A championship game in 2006, after guiding the team to a 21-11 mark.

He also has spent the past 22 years as director of the David Griffin Baseball School, a developmental program that has seen 450 players receive college scholarships and 33 individuals drafted into major league farm systems. At the year-round baseball school, he has worked with youth, collegiate and professional players in all aspects of fundamentals.Griffin has also served as the head coach of the Indiana Playmakers elite travel team since 1998, helping guide the squad to numerous championships in the Midwest. During his time with the Playmakers, 72 players have earned a collegiate scholarship and eight were drafted.

The Dolton, Ill., native played professionally for nine seasons with the Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees organizations. Drafted by the Braves in the 16th round in 1982, Griffin spent most of his career playing at the Double-A and Triple-A levels in the Atlanta farm system. His best season came in 1988 as a member of the Richmond Braves (AAA), when he was named the HOWE’S Sports Player of the Year and the TOPP’s Player of the Month for August, while also playing in the International League All-Star Game.

Griffin was an NAIA First Team All-America first baseman at Texas Wesleyan University, where he still holds the school’s single-season records for home runs (25), slugging percentage (.856) and total bases (178). Prior to his time at TWU, he was a standout for Illinois State University and South Suburban College, while also playing during the summer of 1980 in the Cape Cod League.

MORE ON SHANE PRANCE
During his first year as an assistant coach in 2013, Prance helped Purdue North Central lead the CCAC in earned run average (3.51) and limit its walks to just 119 in 330 innings, while holding opponents to a .264 batting average. That season, the Panthers (25-17, 20-10) finished in second place in a challenging South Division, one game out of first place.

Aside from his playing experience, Prance also spent three years coaching high school players in the Diamond Kings High School Fall Baseball League and Exposure Tour. The state championship teams for both 2011 and 2012 were led by Prance, with a mixture of players from schools in Porter and Lake County.

Prance also gives individual pitching and hitting instruction to youth baseball players at the Triple Crown Training Center in Valparaiso.