Head Coach

Chris LaMange

Aquinas College Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Athletics Nick Davidson announced on June 27, 2019 that Chris LaMange has been named head coach of the Aquinas baseball program. The longtime head coach at East Grand Rapids High School and a former AQ baseball player, LaMange takes over the program for recently retired Doug Greenslate, who led the Saints for the past 18 seasons.

A Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association (MHSBCA) Hall of Fame inductee, LaMange is the 13th head baseball coach in Saints program history. Aquinas has fielded a baseball team since 1942 and employed 10 head coaches from the inaugural season through 1971. From 1972 to 2019, only two coaches - Terry Bocian (30 seasons, 1,079 victories) and Greenslate (18 years, 452 wins) - were at the helm of the program.

LaMange's high school resume speaks for itself. After playing at Aquinas and graduating in 1994, LaMange took over the East Grand Rapids varsity baseball program in 1996. Over his 24-year coaching career at EGR, he led the Pioneers to 554 victories and the 2009 Division II state championship. LaMange was named the Division II State Coach of the Year after winning the 2009 title. The team also advanced to the 1999 state semifinals, while also capturing six regional championships, seven district titles, and seven conference rings.

"I am very excited to announce the addition of Chris as the next Aquinas head baseball coach," explained Davidson. "Chris has a contagious energy that was immediately apparent upon meeting him. Obviously he has tremendous local connections in the area and as an AQ alum, he knows what it takes to play baseball at a successful level at Aquinas. He will continue the legacy of our baseball program into its next chapter."

With an overall record of 554-307, LaMange was inducted into the Michigan High School Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015. He coached the MHSBCA East-West All-Star Game in 2012. LaMange also served as varsity assistant boys basketball coach from 1993 to 1999, helping the Pioneers finish as state runner-up in three consecutive seasons (1994-96). For a pair of years - 2000 and 2001 - he was the head junior varsity basketball coach at EGR.

"I want to thank the following people for helping me get to this point of my coaching career," said LaMange, who has also taught middle school physical education and health at EGR since 1996.

"Nick Davidson and the hiring committee for giving me the opportunity to accomplish a longtime goal of mine and return to Aquinas 25 years after graduation. It is truly an honor to be only the third person in my lifetime to be the head baseball coach at AQ.

Bo [Bocian] and Greenie [Greenslate]: the lessons I learned from my coaches during my time as a player at AQ, the advice and guidance they have given me during my coaching career, and the lifelong friendships I have developed with both of them are very special to me. Now to follow in their footsteps and step into the position these two men have held for the last 48 years is very humbling.

Scott Tompkins: mentor, friend, colleague – one of the best coaches I have ever witnessed, but an even better man. He has had a huge influence on my success not only as a coach, but in all areas of my life.

My wife Amy, who has made personal sacrifices throughout our marriage to allow me to work towards accomplishing goals I have set involving coaching and officiating. I am so fortunate to have her loyal support and could not ask for a better mother for our three children - Eliana, JT, and Vivian.

My dad Larry, who was my first coach and then my assistant coach over the last 22 seasons – and my mom Betsy, who has always been my biggest fan.

All of my assistant coaches over the years, but especially Steve Wojciechowski, Tim Sullivan, and Alex Luke: the years we have spent together have been full of laughter, smiles, and fun – to be surrounded by these three men who are so passionate about teaching and coaching the great game of baseball has been an unbelievably awesome experience.

The players I have had the privilege to coach at East Grand Rapids: East kids are special, and I loved every minute of my time as the varsity baseball coach at East.

The administration at East, especially Jerry Fouch and Tim Johnston. Their efforts and their support of their coaches allowed me to focus on what I love to do – teach and coach.

I am very excited to attack this new challenge as the leader of the Aquinas College baseball program. I am a very proud AQ baseball alum, and am so fortunate to be in a position to represent the hundreds of AQ baseball alumni who have built the foundation for this program.

My goal is to make all the alumni proud of the effort, the intensity, and the passion we will bring to the field every day our players put on the AQ uniform. It is a great day to be a Saint."

LaMange was the head junior varsity baseball coach at Grand Rapids Catholic Central in 1995, after two seasons as the varsity assistant boys basketball coach at GRCC in 1992 and 1993.

Having played at Aquinas from 1991 to 1994, LaMange and the Saints posted a 158-65 overall record during his collegiate career. AQ won at least 38 games in three of his four seasons, while also totaling a 31-15 record in 1992. LaMange was a part of the 1994 Saints team that won a school-record 50 games and earned the WHAC championship before capturing the NAIA state title.

LaMange also played for the Sullivans Baseball Club from 1993 to 1999. He is a decorated high school and collegiate football and basketball official. LaMange has officiated MHSAA basketball and football games since 1992, including the 1998 MHSAA Division 7 state championship game.

Since 1998, LaMange has served as an NCAA football official. He has officiated in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), and the Mid American Conference (MAC). LaMange has officiated several postseason football bowl games, including the 2018 Hawaii Bowl, the 2017 New Mexico Bowl, the 2016 FCS playoffs, the 2012 NCAA Division II semifinals, the 2006 NCAA Division III semifinals, and the 2002 NCAA Division III national championship game.

Chris and his wife Amy live in Grand Rapids with their three children: Eliana, JT, and Vivian.