THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512220219
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
CHURCHLAND'S NEW HEAD baseball coach, Ray McGinley, will have to introduce himself to only a single player.
``I've coached every one of them except for Aaron Bailey,'' said McGinley, who has been the Truckers' junior varsity coach since 1992. ``Bailey went straight to the varsity as a freshman.''
Churchland athletic director Bill Strickland announced that McGinley is replacing Carl Rhodes, who resigned after coaching the Truckers since 1973.
McGinley is no newcomer to the head coaching ranks in the Southeastern District either, although he will be leading the Truckers into a newly formed Eastern District alignment in 1996-97.
McGinley had a long stint as the baseball coach at Wilson. He began his coaching as Wilson's junior varsity coach in 1976 and moved to the helm of the varsity when Wayne Prince stepped down during the 1979 season. He coached the Presidents for 12 years.
At Wilson, McGinley developed a reputation as a spoiler coach. In three different seasons, his Presidents knocked teams out of first place in the district race in closing games, providing other teams with the title.
McGinley, 45, also has been head wrestling coach at Wilson and Churchland and has been a football assistant throughout his coaching tenure. He teaches communications and technology education.
He was junior varsity football coach at Churchland until moving to the varsity this past season as offensive line coach. He will continue to be a football assistant.
``I'm pleased about this new position,'' said McGinley. ``I am happy to have this opportunity.
``Through the years I feel I have learned a lot from coach Rhodes. He was my position coach when I played football at Wilson.
``Working with him in baseball at Churchland, I know what a good technician he has been. He also was an outstanding individual and an exceptional sportsman.''
McGinley, who had a 3-4 record with the junior varsity last season, inherits a team that was 9-7 in regular season play but had an impressive 8-3 mark against Southeastern foes.
The Truckers placed seven on the All-Portsmouth team and four on the All-Southeastern. Three all-district players return.
``I'm looking forward to an exciting season,'' said McGinley. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Ray McGinley is the new baseball coach at Churchland High School.
by CNB