Bio

D.J. Conville's influence has been felt on the Huntingdon baseball program for 28 seasons.

First as a player, then as an assistant coach and head coach, Conville has played a role in the Hawks' success since 1995. A middle infielder with the Hawks in 1995 and 1996, Conville was hired as an assistant coach in 1997. He served as an assistant through 2004 and became head coach in 2005.

Entering his 20th season as head coach, Conville is the Hawks’ all-time winningest baseball coach and has guided Huntingdon to a record of 450-290 and two NCAA Regional appearances. The Hawks have won 20 or more games in 16 of his seasons at the helm.

In the 2022 season, the Hawks posted another 20 win season with a 25-14 record and finishing third in the inaugural CCS Conference Tournament. They made a late run defeated top teams in the CCS and had 9 All-Conference selections and one All-Region selection.

In the 2021 season, Huntingdon posted a 26-15 record and got back on track for 20+ win seasons after two years. The team made it to the second round of the USA South Conference Tournament and had 6 All-Conference Awards and 2 All-Region Awards.

During the shortened 2020 season, Huntingdon put together a 9-6 record that included a win over third-ranked Birmingham-Southern and a three-game conference sweep of Averett. The team produced 27 USA South All-Academic selections.

In 2019, the Hawks posted a 24-16 record and were ranked as high as No. 10 in Division III. Huntingdon returned to the USA South Athletic Conference Tournament and eliminated the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds before ending the season on the third day of the tournament. The team produced one All-Region performer (second-team shortstop Wes Powell), the USA South Rookie Pitcher of the Year (Tucker Duke), three All-Conference performers and 16 All-Academic selections.

Since beginning competition in the USA South in 2014, Huntingdon has produced a Rookie of the Year, two Rookie Pitchers of the Year, 18 All-Conference selections, six All-Region performers and 155 Academic All-Conference selections.

Conville earned his 250th win in the first game of the 2014 season and the Hawks finished the year with a record of 21-17. Huntingdon was third in the USA South with a 16-9 conference record.

In 2015, its second season as a member of the USA South, Huntingdon was 24-15 record and finished as the conference runner-up with a 22-8 conference record. Freshman Jared Gonzalez was named conference Rookie Pitcher of the Year and a total of four Hawks earned All-Conference honors. Outfielder Anthony Spivey (second-team) and third baseman Jordan Freeman (third-team) earned All-Region recognition.

In 2016, Conville won his 300th game, became the Hawks’ all-time winningest coach, guided Huntingdon to its first USA South title and advanced to the NCAA Division III South Regional for the second time. Huntingdon put together a 27-19 record, senior outfielder Patrick Kucera earned third-team All-Region honors and 23 Hawks were named Academic All-Conference. 

The 2017 squad, with just two starters and four experienced pitchers returning from a conference championship team, went through a rebuilding season but returned to the USA South Tournament. Huntingdon finished with a 13-24 record, produced two All-Conference players and 32 All-Academic selections.

In 2018, Huntingdon put together a 22-18 record, tied for third in the regular-season conference standings and made a return trip to the USA South Tournament. Conville won his 350^th game with the Hawks, two players earned All-Region honors, five players were selected as All-Conference and 14 were named to the USA South All-Academic team.

From 2005-2012, as members of the Great South Athletic conference, Conville guided the Hawks to three GSAC regular-season titles and two GSAC tournament titles. Conville, the 2012 and 2009 GSAC Coach of the Year, coached two GSAC Players of the Year, four GSAC Pitchers of the Year, two Freshmen of the Year and 34 All-Conference selections. The Hawks also had 61 academic All-Conference selections and 12 players named to the GSAC Freshman team.

Under Conville's guidance, Huntingdon has produced four All-Americans, one Region Player of the Year, 24 All-Region performers and one player taken in the Major League Baseball Draft.

Competing as an Independent in 2013, the Hawks had one of their most successful seasons during the NCAA era. Huntingdon posted a 32-11 record, including a 14-game winning streak for the month of April and an eight-game winning streak in March that included four wins over nationally ranked competition. The 32 wins were the second most in a season for the Hawks during the NCAA era.

Huntingdon earned its first berth in the NCAA Division III South Regional as a No. 1 seed and advanced to the final day of the tournament before losing to fourth-ranked Salisbury. The Hawks were 2-2 in the regional.

The season also saw junior catcher Joseph Odom lead Division III in home runs before being drafted in the 13th round by the Atlanta Braves. Odom was the Hawks' first draft pick since 1989 and the highest draft pick in program history. Odom earned first-team All-Region honors and was a second-team All-American.

In 2012, Conville picked up his 200th win with the Hawks and led Huntingdon to a 30-win season. The Hawks won the GSAC regular-season title, made their third straight appearance in the GSAC tournament championship and won the GSAC tournament title for the first time since 2005. The Hawks finished 30-12 and pitcher Grant Lowman was named GSAC Freshman of the Year.

Conville's first season as head coach in 2005 helped set the tone for the Hawks. Huntingdon was 27-15 and won the GSAC Tournament championship. The 2006 team, led by first-team All-Americans Robby Preston and Tyler Jones and second-team All-American Marshall Barfield, posted a 33-10 record and reached the GSAC semifinals. Preston was also named South Region Player of the Year and GSAC Player of the Year and Jake Baker was the GSAC Pitcher of the Year that season.

During the 2007 season, the Hawks finished 26-16 and earned a share of the GSAC regular-season title. Senior Kevin Patton was named GSAC Pitcher of the Year. The Hawks finished 24-17 in 2008.

In 2009, Huntingdon again captured the GSAC regular-season title and finished 26-15. The Hawks were the conference runner-up in 2010. Behind GSAC Player of the Year Kyle Eller and GSAC Pitcher of the Year Alex Sanford, Huntingdon finished 28-14.

In 2011, Conville guided Huntingdon to a 23-17 record and a second straight appearance in the GSAC championship game. The Hawks finished as GSAC runner-up, losing 5-4 in 11 innings. John Rice was named GSAC Pitcher of the Year and Joseph Odom was selected as Freshman of the Year.

A native of Sylacauga, Ala., Conville began his collegiate playing career at Snead State Community College in Boaz, Ala.

A 1992 graduate of Sylacauga High School, Conville is married to the former Nyree Putman. The couple resides in Sylacauga, with their three children, Cade, Sydney and Cooper.

Conville by the Numbers

Conville's Record at Huntingdon

2023: 25-14

2022: 26-15

2021: 13-19

2020: 9-6

2019: 24-16

2018: 22-18

2017: 13-24

2016: 27-19 (USA South champion; South Regional qualifier)

2015: 24-15

2014: 21-17

2013: 32-11 (South Regional qualifier)

2012: 30-12 (Great South Athletic Conference champion)

2011: 23-17 (GSAC tournament runner-up)

2010: 28-14 (GSAC tournament runner-up)

2009: 26-15 (GSAC regular-season champion)

2008: 24-17

2007: 26-16 (GSAC regular-season co-champion)

2006: 33-10

2005: 27-15 (GSAC tournament champion)

Total: 450-290