Ernie Jones (10th season)
Ryan Snyder (2nd season)
Mike Girouard (1st season)

Name:  Ernie Jones
Office Phone:  252.985.5205
E-mail:  ejones@ncwc.edu

Ernie Jones enters his tenth season with the North Carolina Wesleyan College baseball program. Jones attended local Southern Nash Senior High School in Bailey, NC where he was a three time All-Conference performer. After high school, he took his baseball career to Lenoir Community College for two years, leading his team to a conference title during his freshman season. Jones transferred to North Carolina Wesleyan College in the fall of 1991 to continue his collegiate career with the Battling Bishops.

Jones played for head coach Mike Fox during the 1992 and 1993 seasons. In 1993, he was a first team All-Conference performer at shortstop. In his two years as a Bishop, Jones recorded a .961 fielding percentage in 337 total chances. As a senior, he played 25 games before making an error at shortstop.

During his Wesleyan tenure, Jones played in two South Regional championships and one College World Series as the Bishops placed seventh in the Series during his senior season. Jones has been given the title as one of the best defensive shortstops the program has ever had. He graduated from Wesleyan with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education in 1993.

In 1998, Jones worked as the varsity baseball coach and the junior varsity football coach at Enfield Academy. The football team won the conference championship that year for the first time in many years. In his only season as a high school coach, he went on to direct the baseball team to a fifth place finish in the state. While at Enfield, Jones also taught Physical Education, as well as Biology.

Jones made his return to the Bishop baseball program during the following 1999 season. In his first season as a full time coach, Jones helped Long take the Bishops to the Conference Title, the South Regional Title, and the NCAA Division III National Title. The Bishops finished the season with a record of (42-9), winning their last twelve games. This included a perfect 8-0 mark in Regional and World Series play. That same season, North Carolina Wesleyan had one first team All-American, pitcher Jayson Sigley, ten All-South Regional performers, and eight All-Conference selections.

Even more special than helping lead his alma mater to a National Championship is the fact that his younger brother, Andy, was a member of the 1999 squad. Jones was honored to have the chance to coach his brother and share such a memorable season. “Winning the National Championship with your brother is something else”, Jones said.

Jones helped lead the Bishops to their 12th World Series appearance in 2006.  Wesleyan, who received an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after capturing the USA South Tournament Championship, hosted and won the South Regional crown. 

Jones is honored to have been a part of the Bishop program during his playing days and to have had the opportunity to play for an outstanding coaching staff. Under the leadership of Coach Fox, now the head coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and current head coach Charlie Long, Jones hopes to take what they taught him and deliver it to each player here at Wesleyan. He feels that the type of player Wesleyan has is one that will work as hard as it takes to become a champion on and off the field. Jones also tries to let each player know that it is important to carry themselves with class. This will help them to deal with life after baseball.

Jones’ other coaching experiences include serving as an American Legion coach for Spring Hope post # 91 and Rocky Mount post #58. He has also worked with Joe Barth (The Hit Doctor) in the All American Talent Showcases all across the country.

Along with his coaching duties, Jones also serves as the Director of Outdoor Facilities and assists in recruiting prospective student-athletes to the College. Other duties include working as the academic coordinator for students in the baseball program and serving as the Assistant Camp Director.

Originally from Nashville, NC, he and his wife, Jenny, currently reside in Elm City. They have two daughters, Meredyth and Faith.

Ryan Snyder enters his second season as a student assistant with the Battling Bishops baseball program. Snyder, who recently completed his Wesleyan playing career, was a two-year letterwinner for head coach Charlie Long and was an instrumental part of the 2006 Conference Tournament and South Regional championship team.

Snyder started all 50 games at second base for the Bishops last season, turning in an impressive .338 batting average and a team-leading 23 doubles. During his 2005 junior season, he batted .298 and recorded a team-best four homeruns and 26 RBI. Snyder was a two-time USA South All-Conference selection during his NCWC career.

Prior to joining Wesleyan, he led UCONN Avery-Point to the 2004 Junior College Division II World Series, belting seven homers and driving in 49 runs.

A native of Plainville, CT, Snyder will be completing his bachelor's degree in Justice Studies in December of 2007.

Name:  Mike Girouard
Office Phone:  252.985.5205

Battling Bishop head coach Charlie Long announced the addition of Mike Girouard to the North Carolina Wesleyan coaching staff in July of 2007.  A former hurler for Long’s Bishops, Girouard volunteers his services as pitching coach.  Additionally, he serves as head coach of Wesleyan’s junior varsity squad. 

A native of Waterbury, CT, Girouard enjoyed a solid two-year career at the University of Connecticut - Avery Point before joining the storied Bishop baseball program in 2000.  His two-year career at Wesleyan saw him tally a 6-4 overall record and five saves on the mound. 

Girouard currently teaches at nearby Benvenue Elementary.