EP's Bob Rodericks Named 2014 RI Baseball Coach of the Year

"I just want to say that Coach Rodericks has done a great job with his teams, wherever he has coached."”

EP Athletic Director, Bob Duarte

The National Federation of State High School Associations and the Rhode Island Interscholastic League has named EP Townie Baseball coach, Bob Rodericks as the 2014 State Coach of the Year in Rhode Island for the sport of Baseball. In a letter to EPHS Principal, Janet Sheehan and school Athletic Director, Robert Duarte, Michael P. Lunney, RIIL Assistant Executive Director wrote; "Congratulations, Robert Rodericks is being recognized as the NFHS Coaches Association, 2014 State Coach of the Year in Rhode Island for the sport of Baseball! As a recipient, your coach will receive a certificate from the National Federation of State High School Associations. The RI Interscholastic League appreciates the efforts that our coaches provide their student-athletes. Again, congratulations to Coach Rodericks and East Providence High School!" wrote the league director.

Rodericks with his State Champion undefeated Martin Middle School Wrestling team, was at the EP School Committee meeting tonight, March 24th, to be recognized for the wrestling championship. The meeting had been postponed due to snowstorm cancellations.

Rodericks was appointed Head Baseball Coach when the position opened up three years ago. East Providence High baseball was the only major sport in the Townies long storied athletic history, to not have a state championship. That all changed when East Providence swept North Smithfield to win its first state championship in school history last year.

Rodericks has coached the following teams to Rhode Island State Championships: Two titles for Riverside Middle School Wrestling; One title for Barrington Middle School Wrestling; East Providence High School Baseball (EP’s first ever baseball title) and now the Martin Wrestling team. He was an Assistant Coach for the EPHS 2006 Football State Champions and has coached Division winning softball teams at Riverside Middle also. Rodericks teaches physical education/health at Martin Middle School and has previously taught at Riverside Middle School.

"I just want to say that Coach Rodericks has done a great job with his teams, wherever he has coached. The year East Providence dropped middle school sports, Coach Rodericks coached Barrington Middle School to an undefeated wrestling State championship," said EP Athletic Director, Bob Duarte. "I know his kids love him and we're glad to make this award known tonight with his champion wrestlers present," Duarte added.

"I want to take a second to thank Superintendent Mercer. When we lost Middle School sports, it was one of the things that got me more involved in things," said at-large member Joel Monteiro. "When Mrs. Mercer came here I expected a fight (to reinstate sports) but we had an easy conversation. Athletics in schools are near and dear to her heart. It's appreciated and hits home for me. We've come a long way from no middle school sports, to state championships now," Monteiro added. "Thank you for bringing it back."

(Disclosure: EPHS head Coach Bobby Rodericks is the son of Reporter columnist Bob Rodericks. "I feel uncomfortable writing about my son as the coach, but the teams deserve to be covered by the press and that includes its coach, too. I try to write objectively and state the facts." - Bob Rodericks, Sr.)