RADFORD, Va. – Former Lincoln Memorial graduate assistant Rick Oliveri has joined the Radford baseball staff as volunteer assistant coach for the 2009-10 season, head coach Joe Raccuia announced recently.

“We are extremely excited to have Rick joining our staff,” says Raccuia. “He will be an asset across all aspects of our program and he comes highly recommended.”

In his role with the Highlanders, Oliveri will work with catchers and hitters, coordinate operations of Joe Raccuia Baseball Camps LLC, and assist with all other aspects of the Radford baseball program.

The Buffalo, N.Y. native spent the 2009 season at LMU, under head coach Jeff Sziksai, working with the team's catchers, hitters, and coordinating team operations.   On the field, the Railsplitter backstops made strides defensively under Oliveri's guidance, doubling their caught stealing totals while helping cut wild pitch totals nearly in half from 2008 to 2009.

Oliveri graduated from Buffalo's Canisius High School, Raccuia's alma mater, before moving on to a four-year career on the diamond for the University at Buffalo. A three-year starter behind the plate for the Bulls, Oliveri was a team captain as both a junior and senior.

“We expect big things from him,” Raccuia adds. “Rick has made a commitment to do what it takes to lay the foundation for a great coaching career.”

Oliveri graduated from Buffalo in 2008 with a degree in accounting and finance.