BELOIT, Wis. - Beloit College Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Dave DeGeorge has announced a coaching change in his program. Ryan Kaveney, class of '16, is set to make his return to the Buccaneer baseball program, effective October 6th. Kaveney will assume the position of associate head coach, replacing long-time assistant Mike Gulve, who has returned to his home state of Missouri and Washington University as an assistant coach. "I am thrilled to have Ryan Kaveney rejoin our coaching staff. As a player, Ryan was a true giant. He is one of the most impactful athletes in the history of Beloit College Athletics," stated Head Coach Dave DeGeorge.
"I would like to express my gratitude toward Coach DeGeorge, President Boynton, and Dr. Schedin for allowing me the opportunity to come back to a place that has meant so much to me and my wife," expressed Kaveney. "The baseball program has seen such success and I'm looking forward to building on that winning culture. I can't wait to get back on campus and work with all the people who make Beloit a truly special place.
Kaveney has spent the last four seasons at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology as an assistant coach. While there, he worked with the pitching staff. In his first season with the Fightin' Engineers, his pitchers recorded the second-most strikeouts in a season (314) in school history.
Before his time at Rose-Hulman, he spent two seasons (2020-2021) at Millikin as the pitching coach. Over his two seasons, he helped recruit over 40 players. During the 2021 season, the Big Blue went 31-16, won their first CCIW championship and made their first NCAA DIII Tournament appearance.
Following his graduation from Beloit in 2016, Kaveney joined the coaching staff for the 2017, '18 and '19 seasons. He split his time coaching the infield, hitters and assisting the pitching staff while also serving as the recruiting coordinator. Over his three seasons, he helped land 53 new Buccaneers. "As an assistant coach, from 2017 - 2019, Ryan helped me recruit what would become the best team in program history," stated DeGeorge. "His fingerprints are all over our 2023 championship team. Over the past six years, Ryan has developed as a coach and recruiter. We are gaining a terrific coach who loves Beloit College, knows our system and will be ready on day one."
As a player for the Bucs, Kaveney was a 4-year letter winner and starter. He earned countless team and conference awards, including First Team All-Conference in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He earned All-Central Region awards in 2014 and 2016. He was a member of the 2016 MWC North Division Championship team and the MWC Championship team. His name is still littered around the Beloit College Baseball record book. He still tops the records for strikeouts in a season (89) and innings pitched (94). He holds the career record for strikeouts with 290. This past season, he was surpassed for most innings pitched and sits second with 276.33. He is in the top five in victories, strikeouts and ERA in a season and wins and ERA in a career.
"His performance leading our team to the 2016 MWC title is legendary," recalled DeGeorge, also saying it was arguably the best of his time at Beloit. During the 2016 season, he set his records in victories and innings pitched. He will always be remembered for his historic performance during the 2016 MWC Championship tournament. Kaveney and the Bucs opened the tournament with a 5-1 victory over Grinnell. Kaveney allowed just three hits and struck out 11. He pitched a complete game and faced just 30 batters. Just a few hours later, he pitched the 10th and 11th innings against St. Norbert. In the bottom of the 11th, Kavaney came to the plate and delivered a walk-off hit to secure his second victory of the day. The next day, he recorded the final two outs to help Beloit defeat Grinnell for the second time in as many days. Over the two-day tournament, Kaveney's pitching line read: 3 appearances, 11.2 innings pitched, two wins, one save, five hits, two earned runs, 15 strikeouts, and just one walk. He also went 3-for-8 at the plate with two RBI.
