Head Coach Bryan Engle
Date of birth:
August 13, 1981		 Hometown:
Mount Joy, PA
High school:
Donegal High School (1999)		 College:
Messiah College (2003)
University of Kentucky (2005)
Years at Messiah:
1		 Record at Messiah:
28-18
Career Record:
28-18		 Contact Info:
(717) 766-2511 ext. 3160
bengle@messiah.edu

Messiah College has named “one of its own” to take over the reigns of its baseball program. Former standout pitcher, Bryan Engle, a 2003 graduate of Messiah, has been named Head Coach and will oversee all operations of the program.

“Not only as an alumnus of Messiah, but especially as an alumnus of the baseball program, I am extremely excited about the opportunity,” said Engle. “I cannot speak enough about the experiences I have been given at Messiah through my time as a student-athlete. It has been a passion of mine to give back to Messiah, specifically in the baseball program, and I am anxious for the road ahead.”

During Engle’s playing days, he co-captained the Falcons to their first Commonwealth Conference baseball championship and NCAA Division III National Tournament appearance during his senior year. In that season, Engle was named the Commonwealth Conference Pitcher of the Year in addition to being named a 3rd team Mid-Atlantic Region All-American.

In his career, Engle stands in the Top 10 in numerous career pitching categories. At the time of his graduation, Engle stood second in career victories, sixth in career complete games, sixth in career winning percentage, second in career innings pitched, second in career strikeouts and sixth in career E.R.A. The right-handed pitcher also holds the career pick-off record, with 16.

A native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Engle was a four-sport athlete at Donegal High School (Mount Joy, PA) competing in football, soccer, basketball and baseball. After his days at Messiah, Engle attended the University of Kentucky where he was a graduate assistant in Athletics Administration while working on his Master’s Degree. While there, Engle had the opportunity to work with many of the finest programs in the country as the Nike Logistics Coordinator. Besides administrative duties, Engle had the opportunity to work hands-on with many of the athletic teams in a close environment.

“Seeing a top caliber program from the inside was a special treat,” stated Engle. “I grew up a Kentucky fan, so having the opportunity to study there and work with many outstanding administrators, coaches and student-athletes was a wonderful opportunity to learn from the best. Whether I was at a baseball or basketball practice, or a football or soccer game, I was constantly attempting to talk to the coaches about the leadership style, their ideas, and their passions. I knew it was a great opportunity to learn from some of the best coaches in the country.”

From Kentucky, Engle returned to Messiah, where he has served as an assistant men’s basketball coach the past two seasons, a role in which he will continue as an assistant, therefore allowing him to be on-campus, full-time. The men’s basketball program is coming off two of its best season in program history, twice qualifying for the NCAA Division III National Tournament (for the first two times in program history), winning one Conference Playoff Tournament and a Conference regular-season championship.

Engle is the 11th coach in what will the 44th year for the Messiah Baseball program. He will, however, be only the third coach in the past 25 seasons, replacing 15-year veteran, Frank Montgomery. Montgomery, who coached Engle at Messiah, has the most wins of any coach in the baseball program, with 267.

Looking at the history of the program, Messiah has been on an upswing since the 2001 season. Only once in the span of the past seven seasons have the Falcons not qualified for the playoffs. Two of those seasons, 2003 and 2005, saw Messiah capture the Commonwealth Championship and earn a berth into the NCAA Division III Baseball Championships.

Three Falcons in the past three years have also taken their passions for baseball to the professional stage. In 2005, RHP Dave Henninger was picked up in the 21st round by the Kansas City Royals. A few days later, catcher Chris Regan got the call from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to sign as a free agent. One year later, junior CF Chris Heisey (Donegal HS), was drafted in the 17th round by the Cincinnati Reds.

“I think many people are unaware of how good some Division III baseball can be,” said Engle. “Each year, there are many Division III players from across the country that are drafted to play in the professional ranks. At Messiah, we have been blessed to have some great players come through the program and get the opportunity to play pro ball. For young ballplayers that are looking for a great Christian education, an environment to grow in many areas, and a very competitive baseball program, Messiah is a great fit.”