Frederick, Md. -- Long-time Frederick Community College baseball Coach Rodney Bennett has been named director of athletics, having served as interim director over the past year. He began his tenure at FCC in 2002 as head baseball coach and later served as an academic adviser and admissions recruiter.
“The director of athletics plays such an important role to our campus community,” said Dr. Wayne Barbour, vice president for Learning Support. “Mr. Bennett has an outstanding reputation in Maryland and beyond and has elevated the baseball program during his tenure to one of the best in the country. More importantly, he puts student success in the classroom before athletics and has demonstrated a clear vision to move all of our teams and programs to the next level.”
In addition to baseball, FCC offers men’s programs in basketball and soccer; and softball, basketball, soccer and volleyball for women. College officials did an extensive search to fill the position and interviewed several finalists before selecting Bennett.
In his 12 seasons as head baseball coach, Bennett received numerous recognitions including three National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XX Coach of the Year awards, two Maryland Junior College Athletic Conference (MDJUCO) Coach of the Year awards, and the Maryland Association of Baseball Coaches Collegiate Coach of the Year award. And his teams have a win-loss record of 433-175. Bennett took over the athletics program after Tom Jandovitz was hired to teach full time after serving as director for 24 years.
More than 130 of Bennett’s former baseball players have transferred to play baseball and earn degrees at four-year colleges and universities including West Virginia University, James Madison University and Penn State University.
“It has been a privilege to work at Frederick Community College,” said Bennett. “This has truly been a special place and a dream job. I’m able to interact with young men and women on a daily basis and have a positive influence on their futures. We will continue to build a dynamic and successful athletics program that first and foremost supports students in the classroom, while offering them opportunities to compete at the collegiate level.”
Bennett put his stamp on the athletics program over the past year. He was able to get support to install turf on the baseball infield, boosted attendance at games, and encouraged faculty and staff to attend picnics/tailgating events before competitions.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Davis and Elkins College, and a master’s degree in athletic administration from California University of Pennsylvania.