Aug. 8, 2008

DETROIT - Wayne State University Director of Athletics Rob Fournier has announced that Ryan Kelley has been named interim head baseball coach. He replaces Jay Alexander, who served as WSU's head baseball coach the last six years, but accepted a similar position at Eastern Michigan University earlier today.

"I want to thank Jay (Alexander) for his leadership and professionalism in guiding our program these past six years," stated Fournier. "It says a lot about Jay, and the success our baseball team has attained, that a Division I program that advanced to the NCAA tournament selected the head coach at Wayne State to lead its program."

"With our resources (full complement of scholarships), our continued facility upgrades (new dugouts being added this summer) and the fact that our position is full-time, it will attract a lot of interest," added Fournier.

Wayne State will have 20 returning letterwinners in 2009 from last year's regional finalist team.

A search committee chaired by associate director of athletics Jason Clark includes baseball alum and donor David Croskey, Dr. Gerald O. Thompkins, the assistant dean of engineering, and two student-athletes from last year's squad (Dane Little and Michael Wiseman). All inquiries should be directed to Jason Clark.

Kelley has been an assistant coach on the Warrior staff for the last five years and has also served as WSU's Athletic Academic Coordinator since February 2006. The Northville native played high school ball at Dearborn Divine Child where he earned all-state and honorable mention pre-season All-American honors.

He was a four-year pitcher at The University of Michigan (1996-1999). He would help the Wolverines win the 1997 Big Ten Championship and the 1999 Big Ten Tournament Championship. Following the 1997 season, Kelley was a pitcher in the Alaskan Central Collegiate baseball league for the Mat-Su Minors.

After earning a bachelor of science degree at Michigan, Kelley graduated with his master's from Wayne State University in sports administration. In the summer of 2004, Kelley became a community director within the WSU Office of Housing & Residential Life.