MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (December 21, 2006) --- Nathan Meade, a former standout infielder for the Milligan College Buffaloes, has been named head coach of Milligan’s baseball program.

This past summer he served as head coach of the Tennessee Thunder, a member of the Southern Collegiate Baseball League.

During his collegiate career at shortstop, Meade played a vital roll in the success of the program. In 2005, the Buffaloes finished the season 30-23 and were named the NAIA Region XII runner-ups and second in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC’s) regular season standings. Meade also was a key player during the 2003 season in which Milligan won the AAC Tournament and finished the regular season in second place. He received All-AAC honorable mention during his junior and senior seasons.

“Coach Meade certainly made an impact on Milligan’s baseball program as a player and he has been equally successful in leading the program during his time as assistant coach and as interim head coach. I am confident the program will thrive under his leadership,” said Ray Smith, Milligan athletic director and assistant baseball coach.

Meade, a native of Lebanon, Va., graduated from Milligan in 2005 with a degree in human performance and exercise science. He recently completed his graduate degree in kinesiology, leisure and sport sciences with an emphasis in sport management at East Tennessee State University.

Smith will remain on the baseball staff as assistant coach. Joel Mangrum, a Mississippi College graduate, will join the Buffs’ coaching staff as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator.

The Buffaloes will take the field for their first game this season on Saturday, Feb. 10, against Union (Ky.) College. The non-conference doubleheader will be played at Milligan’s Anglin Field.