Juniata Baseball Coach Resigns

HUNTINGDON, Pa. - George Zanic, who has guided the Juniata College baseball program to unprecedented success over the past seven seasons, has formally submitted his resignation as Juniata's head baseball coach.

Zanic's official resignation follows his election as Huntingdon County's district attorney in the November 6 general election. He takes office in mid-January.

A search for Juniata College's new head baseball coach is on-going.

"George Zanic has done a simply magnificent job over the last seven years, continuing the legacy of success started by Bill Berrier and building a program that has enjoyed spectacular success on the field while producing young men who have been equally successful after graduation," said Larry Bock, Juniata College athletics director.

"We wish George the best of luck in his new role serving the citizens of Huntingdon County as district attorney, and hope he continues to be involved in the life of Juniata College as an alumnus and a fan of Eagle athletics."

In his seven seasons on College Hill, Zanic helped build the Eagle baseball program into a consistent winner, posting a 171-134-4 overall record. He guided Juniata to five 20-win campaigns and four berths in the Commonwealth Conference tournament. His 2007 squad finished with a 17-17-1 record, the program's fifth-straight .500-or-better season.

Zanic's most successful season came in 2004, when he led Juniata to the Commonwealth Conference championship and the program's first NCAA tournament berth since 1990. He was named the 2004 Commonwealth Conference Coach of the Year, after the Eagles finished with a 24-17 record.

His 2006 squad posted a 30-12-1 record, reaching the 30-win mark for the first time in program history.

Zanic's tenure as head coach has been highlighted by significant fundraising efforts for facility improvements at Juniata's Langdon-Goodale Park. Under Zanic's leadership, new dugouts, bleachers, and a bullpen facility have been constructed at Langdon-Goodale, and a new scoreboard awaits installation.

"This was a decision made for family reasons, as well as in anticipation of my new position as district attorney," said Zanic. "I'm going to miss the friendships and the camaraderie, with staff and players, that I've enjoyed while being a part of this program over the last nine years."

"I'm so proud of the accomplishments of my players - not just on the field, but after graduation. I've coached guys who are now doctors, lawyers, and successful businessmen. We've had a lot of success and a lot of heartbreak together over the years, but I wouldn't trade any of it for anything," Zanic said.

Zanic was named head coach prior to the 2001 season, replacing legendary Juniata head baseball coach Bill Berrier, after serving as Berrier's third-base coach during the 1999 and 2000 campaigns.

A 1989 graduate of Juniata College, Zanic was a four-year letterwinner on the baseball team as an undergraduate. He earned Second team All-Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) honors in 1987, after hitting .320 with 17 stolen bases. He batted .367 with 24 RBI as a member of the 1989 team that went 20-10 overall, tying the school's single season wins record at the time, while capturing the MAC Northern Division crown. Zanic was named the team's most valuable player, and received Juniata baseball's Charles Goodale '39 Award.

Following his graduation from Juniata College, Zanic completed his studies at the Widener University School of Law in 1992. He has been a partner in the Huntingdon law firm of Bierbach, McDowell, Zanic since 1994, and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association.

He is a 1985 graduate of Swissvale (now Woodland Hills) High School. Zanic and his wife Lori reside in Huntingdon with their two children, Savannah and Nicholas.