Benedictine University Mesa Athletics is proud to welcome Travis Lawler as the new Head Baseball Coach.
Lawler will begin his first season with the Redhawks after accepting the position. He brings more than 15 years of coaching experience across the collegiate and high school levels, along with valuable professional playing experience that shapes his coaching philosophy.
"This is the kind of opportunity you dream about—a great school, a successful program, and a location that feels like home," Lawler said. "I'm excited to get to work and build something our players, families, and alumni can be proud of."
Most recently, Lawler served as the Director of Baseball Operations and Player Development at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he worked with infielders, contributed to the offense, and managed key aspects of the program's operations.
Before UIC, he spent four years coaching at Benet Academy in Lisle, IL, while also working with the Chicago White Sox Elite travel organization, providing offensive and defensive instruction. His background also includes running a private consulting business, organizing camps and clinics, and serving as Baseball and Facility Manager at West Suburban Sports Complex, where he trained athletes at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels.
Lawler launched his coaching career with an eight-year tenure as Pitching Coach at Angelo State University. During that time, he helped guide the program to two conference championships, three regular-season titles, two NCAA Division II World Series appearances, and developed eight pitchers who went on to be drafted by MLB organizations.
A native of College Station, Texas, Lawler was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 2007 MLB Draft out of high school but chose to play college baseball at the University of Florida. After one season with the Gators, he transferred to Midland College before being drafted again in 2009 by the St. Louis Cardinals. He went on to pitch professionally for the Johnson City Cardinals, Batavia Muckdogs, and the Amarillo Sox of the American Association.
Benedictine Mesa Athletic Director Charlie Averkamp shared his excitement about the hire:
"We are thrilled to welcome Travis to the Redhawks Family. He stood out as an established leader who will be a tremendous asset to our university. His experience across multiple levels of baseball will be invaluable to our current and future student-athletes. We look forward to the future of Redhawk Baseball under Coach Lawler's leadership. Go Redhawks!"
