Former Georgia State and German National Team Head Coach Greg Frady to take helm of NightOwls in 2021

August 26, 2020

NANAIMO, B.C. – The first Head Coach of the Nanaimo NightOwls brings a wealth of experience, networking, and community service to the role, to lead the team in its West Coast League debut in 2021.

The ownership group of the NightOwls – who will be a fierce Island rival of the HarbourCats – is proud to introduce Greg Frady in the top baseball role — which means the completion of the coaching staff and recruitment of players can now commence.

Frady was announced at an on-line event and media / fan ZOOM call on Wednesday afternoon.

“Greg is the ideal fit for Nanaimo, and our organization, and we’re pleased to have him committed with a five-year contract,” said Jim Swanson, GM of the NightOwls. “I have known Greg and his family since 2008, and Nanaimo is going to really enjoy having Greg and Rhonda become part of the community. This is a great coach — these are tremendous people, and they will bring an energy and embrace the community.”

Frady, a 57-year-old native of Georgia who now resides in Florida, has a lengthy resume in college and international baseball. As a collegiate athlete, he played at Troy, and started his coaching career as a grad assistant at Columbus State, then moved to North Florida Community College, and then Central Florida. He spent 13 seasons as Head Coach of the Georgia State (D1) Panthers – where his 370 wins is a school record –  along with 11 years as the Head Coach and GM of the German National Team, taking that program to the No.17 ranking in the world. His German team finished second to the powerful USA entry at the 2009 World Baseball Challenge in Prince George.

Frady, has 557 wins at the College level and won another 110 international games as a head coach, and over  1000 games as an assistant and head coach combined.  As a player, Frady played in two World Series and won the National Championship DII in 1986. He is in the Hall of Fame at Gilmer High School, the Georgia Dugout Club and the German Baseball Federation.  Among other notable accomplishments was a 39-win season, and leading all of NCAA D1 baseball in runs per game in 2010.

Greg Frady and his wife Rhonda, will look forward to making Nanaimo their summer home for the next five seasons.

“I am very excited to join the Nanaimo community and lead the NightOwls as their first head coach,” said Frady.” This is a wonderful opportunity for me and my family to experience one of the most beautiful places in the world. The quality of baseball played in the West Coast League is top tier. I want to thank Jim Swanson and the ownership group for selecting me as their head coach. I look forward to getting up there and getting to work.”

When cross-border travel is allowed, Greg and Rhonda will come to Nanaimo to meet the people of Nanaimo.

HarbourCats fans will need to wait until the 2021 West Coast League schedule is released later in the fall to learn when the first opportunity to see Frady in action will be to “welcome” him to Wilson’s Group Stadium.

Fans wanting to lock in their seats now to enjoy this rivalry can do so by taking advantage of the HarbourCats “101 for 2021” Season Ticket offer that is on now.  10-game flex packs are also for sale, while individual game tickets will go on sale once the 2021 schedule is released.

How to Support the HarbourCats in 2020/2021:

If you are able, or if you know friends and colleagues who are able, please consider any of the following:

2021 Season tickets — the best way to help, one that guarantees you seats to all our games (usually 35 per year or so) plus other season ticket holder perks. Contact chris@harbourcats.com for details.

10-Game Flex Packs / Vouchers — Don’t want to commit, or can’t commit to season tickets? Consider 10-game flex packs – anytime vouchers that can be used in any combination…10 tickets at one game, 1 ticket at 10 games or anything in between. Season ticket voucher equivalents are also available.  Flex Packs can be purchased at the office and are also available on-line at:  https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/products/10-game-flex-pack-general-admission

Corporate Partnerships – Want to put your company name or brand in front of our 100,000 fans every season?  Or know someone who does?  Consider joining us as a partner.  From a simple program ad, to the most complex of game day sponsorship, complete with signage and tickets, we will customize any campaign to suit your needs and budget.  And with our new HCATS.TV platform and our ownership group’s expansion of a new team in Nanaimo in 2021, the opportunities are now Island wide! Contact john@harbourcats.com for details.

Fundraising / 50-50 – Have an organization that needs to raise funds now?  A $1000 investment buys you 100 anytime 2021 game vouchers for our Premium Reserved seats that you can then turn around and sell for $20 each, earning you your investment back, plus another $1000 in return. We will then hold a 50-50 date for you in 2021 and you can bring your group to the park to sell that game, taking home 50% of the proceeds. Contact chris@harbourcats.com for details.

Merchandise – Consider a HarbourCats merchandise purchase from our store at 1814 Vancouver Street, or from our on-line store, The Cat Shop, at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/ New items, including 2020 game caps and player’s gear are arriving weekly and we need to clear them out!

OFFICE HOURS 

For August and September, we are officially open Monday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm.  We are often in and out of office during off-season, so best to call 778-265-0327 before venturing over to make sure. Closed Saturdays and Sundays.