July 25, 2011

In a matter of 5 years, Corey Hunt has come full circle at Monticello High School. After graduating in 2006 and playing five years with the Virginia baseball team, Hunt returns to his alma mater as head coach of the varsity baseball program.

"Corey Hunt is a Mustang through and through and his lifelong commitment to the sport of baseball made my decision easy," said Athletic Director Fitzgerald Barnes.

Hunt started all four years at Monticello as a shortstop, leading his 2005 team to the AA State Semifinals. He was also named Virginia State Player of the Year in 2006. Hunt continued his baseball career at Virginia, spending the last five seasons with the team. After red-shirting his freshman season, Hunt appeared in 50 games (25 starts) over the next two seasons as a position player. He later contributed as a relief pitcher and pinch runner.

"It's really fun for me to be able to stay on the baseball field and give back, said 24-year-old Hunt Monday. "But I think when the kids see how much energy and enthusiasm I have for the game, I hope it will wear off on them and make them better baseball players."

Hunt's most memorable moment came this spring in game three of the NCAA Super Regional against U.C. Irvine. Inserted as a pinch runner in the 9th, Hunt scored on the go-ahead run from second base on a single by Chris Taylor to send the Cavaliers to the College World Series in Omaha. In his collegiate career, Hunt batted .337 in 101 at-bats, scoring 27 runs, and driving in 19.

Hunt competed this spring as a graduate student after earning his undergraduate degree in psychology in May 2010. At Monticello, he will serve as a school suspension coordinator.

Barnes, who's been the athletic director since the beginning for Monticello, that in it's 13 years of existence, Hunt is just the second graduate named to a varsity head coaching position. He celebrated his 24th birthday on July 21st.