Frank Szymanski
Frank Szymanski

Bio

Baseball isn't the only sport that has benefited from Frank Szymanski's 11 years as athletic director and head baseball coach. The college has won five of its six Region XX titles (baseball, 2005; men's basketball, 2008; women's softball, 2009; women’s basketball, 2012 and 2013) since his arrival in Wye Mills in 1999.

Szymanski, however, is best known for his success in baseball. He will enter the 2014 season with a 384-268-6 record in 14 seasons at Chesapeake and 402-337-6 mark in 17 seasons as a collegiate head coach. That record includes 10 winning seasons in the last 11 years – each featuring at least 25 victories. More important than the victories, according to Szymanski, is the program's ability to assist players in reaching their potential.

"Our coaching staff wants to help our players develop their skills and prepare for the next level," said Szymanski, who routinely sends players to four-year NCAA Division I, II and III institutions to continue their playing career. The Skipjacks also recently sent two players to the pros, with shortstop Mike Turner's selection by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 2010 amateur draft and Nik Nowottnik’s signing by the Orioles organization as a free agent.

Already the college's career leader in coaching victories, Szymanski has racked up a collection of "firsts" with the Skipjacks. He led Chesapeake to its first 20-win season in 2001, first 25-win season in 2003, and first 40-win season in 2005. That 2005 squad became the first Chesapeake baseball team to win region and district titles, advance to the NJCAA Division II World Series, and win a World Series game on the way to a fifth-place national finish.

"We feel like we've built a solid foundation for the baseball program," said Szymanski, who has a .589 winning percentage at Chesapeake. "We've been in the playoffs every year and we've been competitive with almost every team. We really feel like we're headed in the right direction."

Szymanski earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees at Salisbury University.

He resides in Easton with his wife, Colleen, and their four children.