The Catawba Valley Red Hawks head baseball coach, Paul Rozzelle, announces a new addition to his coaching staff. Kris Harvey will join the Red Hawks program as the new pitching coach.
"Kris (Harvery) brings a wealth of baseball knowledge and experience to our program," said head coach Paul Rozzelle about the hirer. "He will fit in great with what we are trying to accomplish here at Catawba Valley, to continue to compete for National Championships and having our student-athletes move on to the next level."
Coach Rozzelle, who has been affiliated with the program for 5 years, is coming off his first season as the Red Hawks head coach after replacing previous head coach Frank Pait in January. In his first season as head coach, Rozzelle guided the Red Hawks to a 39-19, their fourth straight league championship, a Region X Championship, a Southeast District Championship and ultimately a third place national finish at the NJCAA World Series in Enid, Oklahoma.
"This past season was a tremendous ride and we are very proud of what this year's group accomplished," said Rozzelle. "But as we tell our players, you are getting better or you are getting worse. You never stay the same, and I think adding Kris (Harvey) to our program just made us better."
Coach Harvey is a Catawba County product who played his high school career with Bandys High School. After being originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the fifth Round out of high school, Coach Harvey decided to play collegiately at Clemson University for legendary coach Jack Leggett from 2003 to 2005.
Coach Harvey enjoyed a highly decorated collegiate career. During his time at Clemson, Coach Harvery helped guide the Tigers to three NCAA Regionals as well as a Super Regional in 2005. During his Junior year, Coach Harvey hit .341 with 25 Homeruns giving him his second consecutive First Team All ACC selection, First Team All-American and Clemson MVP. Kris finished 2nd in the nation in homerun totals that year.
After his successful Junior season at Clemson, Coach Harvey was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the second round of the 2005 MLB Draft. Coach Harvey played eight minor league seasons where he began as a position player before switching over to a pitcher. Coach Harvery was named to two All Star teams during his professional career (2005, 2009).
Coach Harvey, currently runs a baseball academy with his father Bryan (two time MLB All Star). Excited about the opportunity to return to the college level, his goal is to continue to help the younger generation of baseball players in Catawba County strive and achieve their goals like he was able to.
"I love what we are doing with our younger travel teams and I am excited to see their growth as players and young men. However, I am very excited at the opportunity to help the players at Catawba Valley to move on to 4 year schools and hopefully professional baseball" said Coach Harvey. "I'm looking forward help this program continue to grow and let's see if we can bring a National Championship back to Catawba Valley"
Coach Harvery lives in Catawba, North Carolina with his wife Jessica Harvey and their two children. Coach Harvey's brother Hunter Harvey is currently a pitcher in the Orioles organization.