Craig Parry enters into his first year as an assistant coach with the SAU Baseball program.
Parry, a native of Colstrip, Mont., comes to SAU after spending the previous three seasons at Dallas Baptist University where he served as the team's first base coach while working with the Patriot's catchers.
A former catcher in his collegiate and professional days, Parry worked closely with catchers at DBU and helped mentor a pair of All-MVC honorees. Additionally, two former Patriot catchers under Parry's tutelage have gone on to play professionally with one signing a free agent contract with the New York Yankees and the other being selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB draft.
In his time at Dallas Baptist, Parry helped establish DBU into a national power at the Division I level as the Patriots advanced to NCAA Regional play each season with DBU serving as host in two of those years. Combined, the Patriots went 130-55 (.703) with a pair of Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Tournament Championships in Parry's time with DBU.
Prior to his time at DBU, Parry coached for one season at Sacramento State University. In his lone season with the Hornets, Parry worked with outfielders as well as assisted with the hitters and catchers. He also served as the team's first base coach.
Before his time at Sacramento State, Parry spent two seasons coaching at Miles Community College in Miles City, Montana. In each of his two years, the Pioneers fell just short of a NJCAA Division II World Series berth. During Parry's stint at MCC, he coached the hitters, outfielders, and catchers, helping the Pioneers achieve a combined record of 65-36-2 during the two years.
As a player, Parry began his collegiate career at Miles Community College where he played third base and was a two-time All-Conference selection and All-Region honoree as a sophomore. Parry then transferred to South Dakota State University, where he combined to hit .334 over two seasons with 17 home runs, 79 RBIs, 34 doubles, and eight triples while playing third base, left field, and catcher for the Jackrabbits. Parry was also named to the All-Summit League First-Team, as well as being named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Second-Team.
Following his career as a Jackrabbit, Parry was taken in the 50th round of the 2008 MLB draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates and played two seasons as a catcher and outfielder in their minor league system.
Parry earned a Bachelor's degree from SDSU in 2010 before earning a Master's in Sports Management from American Public University in 2012.
