University of Tennessee Athletics
UT Names Chad Zurcher Dir. of Baseball Ops
August 18, 2015 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Head Coach Dave Serrano and the University of Tennessee Baseball Program announced the addition of Chad Zurcher as new director of baseball operations.
In his new assignment, Zurcher will serve as a primary liaison between the University and the Vols Baseball program, while assisting the coaching staff with coordinating offseason camps, events and community service outings for the team.
“I'm excited that Chad is joining my staff as director of operations,” Serrano said. “He grew up in the area, so he has great ties to Knoxville. I believe we just added another great piece to the puzzle.”
Prior to joining the Volunteers’ staff, Zurcher coached youth teams and scheduled practices at the Ranger Baseball Institute in Knoxville, Tenn. after retiring from a Minor League playing career. Over the past 10 years, he has also assisted and supervised preparations for events at the University of Tennessee athletic facilities.
“Having grown up around the University of Tennessee, I’m excited to bring my career back home,” Zurcher said. “I wanted to be on the administrative side of baseball and I could tell from the first time I spoke with Coach Serrano, this would be a good fit. Coach Serrano is a great coach and I wouldn’t want to work with anyone else.”
In 2011, Zurcher was selected in the 31st round of the Major League Draft by the New York Mets out of the University of Memphis. He went on to play 88 career games over two Minor League seasons, maintaining a combined .279 average between New York’s Rookie Kingsport Mets and Class A Savannah Sand Gnats.
“Chad obviously has a great baseball background as a player in college and the Minor Leagues but his energy and passion for the Tennessee Orange is what helped make my decision,” added Serrano.
Zurcher earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Memphis in 2011 and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Sport Administration from Liberty University in 2014.
“I went to Memphis and really enjoyed my time there,” Zurcher added. “I went there and got to play Minor League baseball but to be back in Knoxville and work for the Vols is a dream come true.”
For the most up-to-date information about the Tennessee baseball program, visit UTSports.com/baseball, follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter and like the Vols at Facebook.com/VolBaseball.
