January 12, 2021 For Immediate Release: FOWLERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL TABS ANDY MERCHANT TO BE NEW VARSITY HEAD BASEBALL COACH It gives me great pleasure to introduce to Gladiator Nation Mr. Andy Merchant as the new Fowlerville High School Varsity Baseball Coach. Merchant brings a high degree of knowledge to the position and has been coaching collegiately since 2013. Merchant most recently was the head coach at Olivet College and prior to that stretch he built Lansing Community College into a nationally ranked program. Coach Merchant has also managed teams in the Lansing Men’s league along with serving as the hitting coach and 3rd base coach for the Kalamazoo Growlers in the Northwoods League. Coach Merchant has consistently challenged his student athletes to be successful academically and athletically. Numerous athletes that he mentored at LCC were successful in the classroom and on the diamond, because of this they were able to further their academic and athletic careers at 4-year universities. Baseball is more than a game to Coach Merchant; he understands and stresses accountability, responsibility, technique, and discipline to all of his student athletes in all facets of their lives. In addition, he will emphasize the importance of teamwork, character and leadership development, along with communication skills. He is extremely dedicated and committed to maximizing a student athlete’s potential both on and off the field. Merchant earned a bachelor of art's degree in business administration from Alma College in 2000. Merchant played four years of baseball for the Scots and in 1999, Alma won the MIAA championship. A right-handed pitcher, Merchant led the Scots in appearances during the 1999 championship season. Prior to Alma, Merchant attended Holt High School where he set the school record for strikeouts by a pitcher, a record that stood for 15 years. Fowlerville Athletic Director Brian Osborn said, “We are extremely excited to hire Andy, his energy and passion for the game is second to none. I am confident that the knowledge and experience Coach Merchant possesses and his dedication and commitment to providing our student athletes with positive characteristic traits and skills on and off the field, will help our baseball program to continue to grow and be successful. Coach Merchant will work tirelessly to create positive relationships and teach life lessons through the game of baseball…I welcome Coach Andy Merchant to the Gladiator coaching family.” Coach Merchant will attend Thursday’s conditioning session from 2:30-3:30. Baseball athletes should attend the session to meet Coach and hear his message for the upcoming season!