A full story on Steedley will be in Sunday’s Post.

From Queens sports information

CHARLOTTE —  Rowan County native Ross Steedley has been named the next head coach to lead the Queens University of Charlotte baseball team.

Director of Athletics Cherie Swarthout made the announcement on Thursday.

“Ross was able to separate himself from a talented group of candidates by drawing from his experiences as both a player and a coach to share a very clear vision and strategy on how he was going to nurture excellence in our baseball program,” Swarthout said. “He was very appreciative of the talent that exists in the program and eager to continue the development process.”

Primarily a catcher, but also a standout pitcher in high school, Steedley starred for East Rowan, for Rowan County American Legion and for the Charlotte 49ers.

Steedley has been an assistant at several D-I programs — Gardner-Webb (four seasons), Charlotte and, most recently, Jacksonville.

His first coaching experience came with the Rowan County Junior Legion program. His college coaching career began at Pfeiffer. 

Steedley has served as a recruiting coordinator at each stop of his coaching career, evaluating and recruiting potential student-athletes. Seven players under Steedley’s instruction have gone on to play professional baseball.

During his time as the top assistant at Gardner-Webb, Steedley also worked as the team’s hitting coach and was responsible for the development of the catchers.

“I am humbled and incredibly honored to be named the next head baseball coach at Queens,” Steedley said. “This is an opportunity that I have dreamed of, envisioned, and prepared for my entire life. The moment Cherie reached out to me to inform me of her and her staff’s decision is a memory I will always cherish. Charlotte is home. I love this city and this state. My family still lives in the area. I am just so excited to come back home and be a part of building something special. This opportunity would not be possible without my family, all the players that I’ve been blessed to coach in my career, and so many others who have invested in me. It would also not be possible without Coach (Brian) Hightower, Coach (Jim) Gantt, Coach (Loren) Hibbs, and Coach (Rusty) Stroupe. I wouldn’t be who I am and where I am without their impact in my life.”

An all-conference player for Charlotte, Steedley graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications.

“Coach (Jack) McDowell and his staff laid a solid foundation for us and we will build off that to cultivate Queens baseball into a program that excels on and off the field and will make the city of Charlotte and the community proud,” Steedley said. “I can’t wait to come home.”