Rowe

ADAMS TWP — Chase Rowe had a taste of the big-time.

Now he's back where he's had big success.

Rowe, 38 — a 2001 Knoch graduate and longtime Mars resident — has returned as head baseball coach at La Roche University after a one-year hiatus.

He resigned that position following the 2019 season to become an assistant hitting coach in the Detroit Tigers' minor league organization. Rowe was with the Tigers in spring training last winter before major league camps — and minor league baseball — were wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rowe resigned from the Tigers over the summer.

“What happened (with the pandemic) was unfortunate, but I left for personal family reasons,” Rowe said. “I felt it was time to come home.

“I thought I was realizing a dream, going into pro ball, but my family had to come first. I didn't want to miss seeing my kids grow up.”

Rowe and his wife, Jocelyn, have three children — son Nolan, daughters Anne and Harper — ranging in age from 4 to 10.

“My wife was very supportive of me when I took the Tigers job,” Rowe said. “Those jobs are tougher than you think. They're not all glamorous. It's just not the right time for me.

“When my kids get older, I may pursue professional baseball then. I've got plenty of time. I have enough contacts that I feel like I can take another shot down the road.”

In the meantime, he makes the drive down Route 8 South to La Roche and his old stomping grounds. Rowe decided to return to the Division III school in September.

Rowe first accepted the head coaching job at La Roche in 2006, at age 23. He is 370-195-1 in 13 years there — a .655 winning percentage — and won eight Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference titles. He is a seven-time AMCC Coach of the Year.

Guiding the Redhawks to the 2016 College World Series, he has produced six All-Americans, 28 all-region and 95 All-AMCC players during his time at La Roche.

“Chase played a key role in putting La Roche University athletics on the map,” athletic director James Tinkey said in a prepared statement. “He's taken the baseball program to new heights as a head coach.

“We are thrilled to welcome him back to the Redhawk family.”

Sean Lubin, a four-year assistant coach under Rowe and a three-time All-AMCC player for him, filled in as interim head coach in 2020. The Redhawks were 1-7 during their winter trip to Florida before the season was shut down.

Lubin has stayed on as one of Rowe's assistants for the coming season.

“Everything couldn't have worked out better,” Rowe said. “Sean is a good friend, he's like family to me and I'm glad he's staying on.

“La Roche was going to begin a national search for a head coach after this past season. They wanted me to let them know by August if I was coming back. I'm happy to be back.”

Four Butler County high school graduates — infielder Ryan Lynn, pitcher Shawn Marcellus and catcher Nathan Stutz of Butler, outfielder Joe Kozlina of Seneca Valley — are underclassmen on the La Roche roster.

“Sean did a good job recruiting,” Rowe said. “We have eight or nine freshmen coming in, we'll pick up a transfer or two ... I expect us to pick up right where we left off.”

Rowe also runs the Pittsburgh Spikes summer youth baseball program, which has produced 81 collegiate players in the past 10 years.