PEORIA, Ill. ? Former Eastern Kentucky University baseball coach Elvis Dominguez was announced as the new head coach at Bradley University Tuesday morning. Dominguez had just completed his seventh season at EKU, compiling a record of 178-199-2 (86-82 OVC) during that span.
“We will certainly miss Elvis and his family,” EKU Director of Athletics Mark Sandy said. “They have been a wonderful part of the EKU Athletics family. I’m sure he will do an outstanding job at Bradley University, and we wish him the best.”
Dominguez’s seven year tenure at EKU was highlighted by eight MLB draft picks, nine All-Americans, three OVC Players of the Year, and 22 All-OVC selections. He also recruited and coached the 2008 OVC Pitcher of the Year, Christian Friedrich, who was drafted as the 25th overall pick in this year’s MLB Draft to the Colorado Rockies. Dominguez’s 2003 team ? which featured current Atlanta Brave Josh Anderson ? finished second nationally in steals with 131, while his 2004 squad led the nation in batting average (.375) and doubles (137).
Dominguez’s greatest contribution to the program, however, may have come off the field. During his time in Richmond, the baseball program boasted the top NCAA Academic Progress Rate score (960) of any other Division I baseball program in the state of Kentucky, and ranked among the 80th percentile of all Division I programs in the country. He also instituted a community service program called the “Eastern Elves,” in which baseball Colonels visit children’s hospitals throughout the Richmond and Lexington communities, spending time with children who are ill and helping boost morale for those afflicted during their hospital stay.