Charleston, W.Va.  – The University of Charleston is pleased to announce that long-time assistant Lee Bradley will assume the responsibilities of head coach of the Golden Eagles baseball team for the 2012 season.  Bradley succeeds Athletic Director and Head Coach Tom Nozica, who passed away unexpectedly in October. 
 
Bradley, a former first baseman/catcher for rival West Virginia Wesleyan, has been with the UC baseball program since 1999, with the exception of the 2003-04 season.  That year he was the head coach at Garrett Community College, which reached the regional finals.  According to Bradley, four players from that team went on to play professionally and one is still in the New York Mets system.
 
“I’m excited about the opportunity,” he said. “We finally have a veteran squad on both sides of the field – all our position players are back, along with the entire bull pen.  We were only one game away from making the conference tournament last year, and have a very realistic chance to break through this year.”
 
The Golden Eagles will open the 2012 season on February 25 with a single nine-inning game against California (Pa.).  The first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. at Appalachian Power Park.