York's Scappa gets promoted
Heading into 2011-12, York's new head coach will not look all
that new. Paul Saikia, the Spartan head coach for 24 years and the
Assistant Dean for Athletics and Recreation, announced that
long-time assistant coach Mike Scappa has been named the new head
baseball coach. Saikia also announced that former Spartan
All-American shortstop and current director of campus recreation
Matt Day has been elevated to Assistant Director of Athletics and
Recreation.
"Mike and Matty were special players--they had physical gifts, but
it was mostly because of the people they are. We are really
fortunate that their playing days did not mark the end of their
careers at York College," states Saikia.
Scappa has served as Saikia's assistant coach since the conclusion
of his playing career in 1998. He has been a part of the program
for 17 years including the last 13 years on the bench. Scappa's
dedication to the Spartan program is something that was not lost on
Saikia as he was in search of his replacement as the Spartan head
coach.
"Our field is named after former coach Jack Jaquet. There are only
two people who have spent as much time in a Spartan baseball
uniform as he did, and one of them is Mike Scappa."
Scappa was a two-year captain for the Spartans as York made two
NCAA Tournament trips during his time wearing the Green and White.
Scappa posted a career average of .305 while he was also a two-time
All-Capital Athletic Conference selection.
"I am excited to have the opportunity to lead and develop the next
generation of Spartan baseball teams. York College has been
part of my life for the last 17 years and it is my responsibility
to maintain the high standards that Coach Saikia has established
for our program," states Scappa.
Saikia knows the lessons learned at Jaquet Field will serve both
Spartans in their new positions.
"I've always hoped that the lessons we learn on the field will
help us in other aspects of life. Baseball is a sport of high
accountability. It's a team game, but the flow is a chain of
individual actions, and they are easy to identify--responsibility
rarely gets lost in the shuffle in baseball. It's the only sport I
know of where the coach walks out onto the field and takes the ball
away from a guy when he is not doing well. If you are involved for
much time at all, you will suffer plenty of failure and humility
for your moments of exhilaration and being the hero. To be
successful requires aspects of character that I have always
appreciated, and that I believe help form good leaders," says
Saikia.
