ABCA recognizes Conville as Small College Coach of the Year
By Chuck Tidmore
Sports Information Assistant
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Huntingdon baseball coach D.J. Conville is one of three college head coaches being recognized by the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association at this year's Alabama Baseball Coaches Association awards banquet.
The banquet is Friday night in conjunction with the ABCA's annual coaches' convention in Birmingham.
Conville is the Small College Coach of the Year.
"To be honored by the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association is very humbling," Conville said. "It's more of a reflection on our players, culture and our assistant coaches. Without the players and their commitment and trusting in the coaching staff, it's not possible to have success."
Conville won his 300th game and became Huntingdon's all-time winningest coach in 2016. The Hawks were 27-19 last season, won their first USA South Athletic Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III South Regional for the second time in four seasons.
"Last year's squad wasn't the most physically gifted team we've had since I've been here and I told them that during the season. But they were probably the most loyal, hard-working and committed group of guys I've had during my time at Huntingdon," Conville said. "I believe that is how we have won here. We are a blue-collar program and it is based upon how you are all the time, not just on the baseball field."
Conville enters his 13th season as head coach with 321 career wins. The Hawks have won 20 or more games in each of his first 12 seasons as head coach.
"We are thrilled with the news that coach Conville has been recognized by the ABCA as their choice for Small College Coach of the Year," Huntingdon athletic director Mike Turk said. "There are a lot of great baseball coaches out there, but no one can get more out of a baseball team than D.J. Conville. He has been successful as a coach and a mentor to many kids in our program, and we are very fortunate to have him as our coach at Huntingdon College."
The ABCA awards banquet recognizes players and coaches from high schools, junior colleges, small colleges (Division II, III and NAIA) and large colleges (Division I) in the state of Alabama.
Click here to view the 2016 award winners.
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