July 10, 2009

KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island head coach Jim Foster has been recognized by CollegeBaseballInsider.com as an honorable mention for the organization's National Coach of the Year Award. Foster receives the honor after guiding the Rams to victories over No. 8 Miami, No. 11 Oklahoma State and No. 25 Ohio State as well as a program-best 37 wins and a trip to title game of the 2009 A-10 Championship.

A native of Warwick, R.I., Foster has amassed a 125 victories in just four years at the helm of the URI program. He has produced five MLB draft picks - including a league-best four selections this past season - and boasts the program's highest-ever selection as junior Eric Smith was picked 60th overall in the second round of the 2009 draft.

Foster also was named the 2009 New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association Division I Coach of the Year, in voting conducted among the association's 17 Division I head coaches.

Virginia head coach Brian O'Connor was named CBI's Coach of the Year while other finalists for the award were Steve Peterson of Middle Tennessee, John Anderson of Minnesota, Mike Gillespie of UC Irvine and Jim Schlossnagle of TCU. Joining Foster as honorable mentions were Paul Mainieri of LSU, Corky Palmer of Southern Miss, Dave Van Horn of Arkansas, Mike Fox of North Carolina, Larry Lee of Cal Poly, Lindsay Meggs of Indiana State.