WILMINGTON, N.C – The Wilmington Sharks have hired Tom Fleenor as Head Coach for the 2010 Coastal Plain League season.  Fleenor, an accomplished summer collegiate coach, led the Battle Creek Bombers of the Northwoods League to a 37-30 record in 2009.  He is currently the Head Coach at the University of South Carolina-Sumter. He directed the FireAnts to a 52-11 record and the Region X Title in the program’s second year of existence. Throughout Fleenor’s career, he has coached over 70 players that have gone on to sign professionally. This includes two first-round draft picks and seven players that have reached the Major Leagues.

“We are proud to bring an experienced and proven Head Coach to Wilmington,” Owner/ Director of Operations Conor Caloia said. “We are committed to winning and continuing to provide a great show for our fans at the “Shark Tank.” Tom is the perfect fit to bring us a winner on the field as we continue to provide affordable, family fun to the greater Wilmington community.”

“I am extremely excited to join the Wilmington Sharks family and the CPL,” Fleenor said. “I was ready for a new challenge and I am thankful for the opportunity to do that in Wilmington.”

Fleenor was an assistant baseball coach for seven years at USC-Upstate before taking the top job at USC-Sumter. Prior to his time in the Palmetto State he spent two seasons as an assistant at Rollins College (Florida) and four seasons as a volunteer assistant at the University of Mississippi. During his time at Ole Miss, the Rebels set a school record with 40 wins and played in a regional. Fleenor also served as the third base coach in his final two seasons in Oxford.

Fleenor has spent nine seasons as a summer collegiate Head Coach including seven in the Northwoods League and two in what is now the New York Collegiate Baseball League. Fleenor ranks second in career wins (265) in the Northwoods League after stints with the Rochester Honkers, St. Cloud RiverBats and Battle Creek Bombers. The only person with more Northwoods League wins is Sharks owner and Fayetteville SwampDogs Head Coach, Darrell Handelsman (300). Fleenor led the Rochester Honkers to the Northwoods League Championship in 1999 and guided his team to the playoffs in five of seven seasons in the NWL.

"We are very excited to bring Tom aboard as the manager for the 2009 season,” Handelsman said. “The CPL's South division just got much more competitive. He brings a wealth of summer collegiate experience to the Sharks as well as a winning track record. We have no doubt he will put a highly competitive team on the field that the Wilmington community can be proud of".Fleenor graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan in 1993. During his playing days, he was a three-time All-Conference and two-time All-District performer. Fleenor helped his team win two consecutive league championships in 1992 and 1993.

Fleenor and his wife, Laura, have two children, Bradley and Anna Grayce.

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league, now heading into its 14th season. Featuring 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, the CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with wooden bats during the summer months. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.