After two-plus years at Jamestown Community College, Jordan Basile, left, was named head coach of Fredonia State’s baseball team Wednesday. Photo by Camryn Wilson | Jamestown CC Athletics

One local college’s loss is another one’s gain.

Jordan Basile was named the new head baseball coach at Fredonia State University on Wednesday.

The Blue Devils’ all-time hits leader, who is in the school’s athletics Hall of Fame, leaves the same position at Jamestown Community College.

“I’m happy for him,” George Sisson, Jamestown CC director of athletics, said. “I know that this was something he wanted to do, move on to a four-year institution. He’s back to the place where his collegiate baseball journey began. Anytime that someone from our institution moves up the ladder whether it’s a player, coach or administrator, it’s a feather in our cap. That means that we have done a good job preparing them for the next chapter of their life.”

Basile returns to the Blue Devils where he had an illustrious career on the diamond. In addition to being the program’s all-time hits leader, he is in the top-10 in nine other statistical categories. During his senior season at Fredonia, Basile set single-season records for hits and runs while helping the team to a program-record 26 wins.

“I can’t thank George Sisson and Ashley Lund enough for the opportunity I was given to come back home and lead this baseball program,” Basile said. “The amount of time and effort they put in each and every day to run a successful athletic department doesn’t go unnoticed. JCC is a place that every student and student athlete needs to take a look at because what is offered, it’s second to none.”

Basile was hired to lead the Jayhawks baseball team in the summer of 2019. Though his tenure with the team was short due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2020 season and a shortened season in 2021, his impact was felt throughout his team and within the athletic department.

“I wish Jordan’s time here started out different,” Sisson said. “I felt we got cheated during his first season with the pandemic and last season he had us in the playoff hunt going into the final weekend of the season. I know he was excited going into the 2022 season with this group of guys because there was some unfinished business to be had.”

The Jayhawks finished fifth in the NJCAA Region 3 West standings, three games out of a playoff berth. While under Basile’s tutelage, he had six players earn spots on the All-Western New York Athletic Conference teams including Bryce Jackson (Jamestown/Jamestown High) who finished the regular season first in the nation in strikeouts with 87.

“Although I’m leaving for another opportunity at my alma mater, I can confidently say the baseball program is in good hands as well as JCC,” Basile said. “Go Jayhawks.”

Basile carries 12 years of experience at many levels to Fredonia State. He assisted one season at Fredonia State after graduating. He moved on to NCAA Division I University at Buffalo as an assistant. He earned his master’s degree coaching at Division II Lake Erie College before heading to Patrick Henry Community College — first as an assistant coach, then taking over the program for two seasons. In his first year as a head coach at PHCC he found his team one game away from the College World Series with a 38-16-1 record, and compiled a two-season mark of 64-32-1.

Basile has coached more than 10 players who were selected in the MLB draft and of those, two whom have reached the Major Leagues.

Basile worked with player development in the Detroit Tigers organization in 2011, and is involved with the Secrets of Champions as an integrated performance coach. He also managed the Jamestown Jammers of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League the past two summers.

Basile takes over for his former coach, Matt Palisin after 19 years at the helm. Basile was part of the school’s most successful season in 2009 when they went 26-12 and played host to the ECAC Regional Tournament, while also winning the SUNYAC batting title.

Palisin will remain with the department, taking over as the sports information director. He succeeds Jerry Reilly who retired after serving the school for 19 years.

Sisson, along with a search committee, will move quickly to find a replacement with the 2022 season just around the corner.

“There’s never a good time when a coach departs,” Sisson said. “Our backs are against the wall. One thing I can say is that he has brought in a great talent of players for this season and beyond, we just need someone to lead them.”

Anyone inquiring about the coaching position is asked to contact Sisson via email at georgesisson@mail.sunyjcc.edu or by phone at 716-338-1269.