Hannibal Cavemen Usher in New Era in 2015
December 2, 2014 - Prospect League (Prospect)
Hannibal Cavemen News Release
Hannibal Cavemen Usher in New Era in 2015 (Hannibal, MO) Today the Hannibal Cavemen of the 12 team Prospect League announced several changes to their organization. Co-owners Rick DeStefane and Bob Hemond have hired Greg McVey as the organization's full-time General Manager and Field Manager. McVey will take on the dual role replacing John Civitate as General Manager and Jay Hemond as the Field Manager.
Civitate who spent the last 4 years as the club's General Manager will be leaving the organization to pursue other interests. Civitate stated, "I have really enjoyed being a part of Cave Nation and will take a lot of great memories with me. Judy and I will be moving back to our home at Lake of the Ozarks to start our new job opportunity. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone in Hannibal that made us feel so welcome in their hometown. It is our goal to make the transition in the Cavemen organization as smooth as possible. We will be working with Greg in the upcoming months to get him settling in before leaving. We feel Greg is a perfect choice and hope the community embraces him as warmly as they have us."
Former Field Manager Jay Hemond said, "I have put my heart and soul into the Cavemen for the last 6 summers but I have accepted an offer to coach and scout in Italy. Therefore, I am announcing that I will not be returning to the Hannibal Cavemen for the 2015 summer. I am excited by the opportunity and adventure to coach, live, and help spread my love for the game of baseball overseas and to be opening a new chapter in my personal and professional life. I want to thank everyone who made my 6 seasons in Hannibal so enjoyable; the loyal fans who were at so many games, the players who put in the work to improve and strive toward the goal of playing in the Major Leagues, and the host families, especially Debbie Walden, who take care of the players and make having a team in Hannibal possible. I am going to miss wearing the Black and Gold."
Co-owner DeStefane added, "I am very thankful for the contributions John, Judy and Jay have made to the organization. They poured their hearts and souls into making the club the best it can be during several difficult years. Bob and I wish them the best of luck as they move on to another chapter of their lives."
Greg McVey an Indianapolis, Indiana native comes to the Cavemen organization with 22 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics most recently as the Director of Athletics at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri. The 44 year old McVey was instrumental in rejuvenated an underachieving athletic department by improving athletic facilities, hiring outstanding coaches, increasing program winning percentages, improving student-athlete grade point average and repairing the department's image both internally and externally. McVey stated, "I am extremely excited and honored about joining the Hannibal Caveman organization. I want to personally thank co-owners Rick DeStefane and Bob Hemond for putting their faith in me to continue the hard work of John, Judy and Jay moving forward. At the end of the day, I want everyone in America's Hometown to be proud of the Cavemen organization and what we represent both on and off the field." DeStefane added, "When we started this endeavor we wanted to bring an enjoyable and affordable experience to the Hannibal community and the surrounding area. I believe we have found the right person to lead us into the future and Greg's experience as an athletic administrator and college baseball coach gives him a unique perspective on how we can continue to grow the organization in a positive direction."
Prior to moving into athletic administration McVey spent 15 years as a college baseball coach at the NCAA Division I, and II levels. For six seasons from 2002 to 2007 he was the head baseball coach at NCAA Division II Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois where he averaged over 30 wins a season highlighted by a 40-win campaign in 2006 where the Hawks qualified for the NCAA National Tournament.
During that span he had several of his players sign professional contracts including current major leaguer catcher Josh Thole who currently plays for the Toronto Blue Jays. Prior to taking the position at Quincy, McVey spent the 2000 and 2001 seasons as the Head Baseball Coach at NCAA Division II Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, Kentucky. While there, improved a struggling Panther program to respectability and again recruited and coached several professional baseball signees including former major leaguer pitcher Corey Wade who spent time with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees. McVey also spent the 1998 and 1999 seasons as an Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator at NCAA Division I Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina and the 1997 season at NCAA Division I Miami University in Oxford, Ohio under Head Coach Tracy Smith who currently holds the same position at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. At age 24, McVey began his coaching career as the Head Baseball Coach at Miami-University-Middletown where his teams won 3 consecutive Ohio Regional Campus Conference Championships in 1994, 1995 and 1996. He also spent time as a Graduate Assistant Coach at Miami University while completing his Master's Degree in Sport Administration from 1992- 1993. As an undergraduate, McVey was a right handed pitcher for NCAA Division II Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana where he was named All-Great Lakes Valley Conference and NCAA Division II All- North Central Region in both 1991 and 1992. While there received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Management in 1992. He and his wife Amy currently live in Quincy and have five children; Justin (24), Dalton (21), Avery (15), Casey (11) and Sophie (2).
When asked about what Cavemen fans should expect from the product on and off the field McVey added, "It is my goal to provide our players a quality experience where they can continue to develop their baseball skills to help their current school in the short term and eventually increase their chances of securing a professional baseball career. We will play an exciting brand of baseball centered on team speed, solid defense and quality pitching. Our fans that come to the ballpark should expect a family friendly atmosphere with plenty of fun for all ages. After a game, we want our fans to leave Clemens Field and with a smile on their face, a full belly and a Cavemen win."
The 2014 Hannibal Cavemen come off a 4th place finish in the West Division where they finished 17-22 a full 8 games back of the eventual Prospect League Champion Quincy Gems. The 2015 Schedule that consists of 30 home games and 30 away games will be announced later this month and season tickets are available now by contacting the Cavemen Ticket Office at 573-221-1010.
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Prospect League Stories from December 2, 2014
- Hannibal Cavemen Usher in New Era in 2015 - Hannibal Cavemen
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