McRae, Michael (Mike) David

item
Player Name
McRae, Michael (Mike) David
Type
Builder
Sport
Baseball
Inducted
2009
Era
1991 - Present
Description
Inducted January 18 2009
Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Mike grew up playing travel baseball and hockey for his hometown. He then progressed to a ual sport athletic scholarship at Colby College, Maine ; While finishing his Masters degree in Education at Niagara University, Mike began coaching the Niagara Falls midget baseball team in 1993 & 1994 ;his experiences ignited a love of coaching that would lead him to a full time career and position as the first Canadian head coach at Niagara University, an NCAA Division 1 University ; In 2004 Mike became the new Head Coach at Canisius College in Buffalo, with a team that was 4-40 for three consecutive years prior to Mike taking over the program. At this time Canisius was ranked last in the conference and 2nd last in the Nation. In four years Canisius now sits in the top position in the league and is ranked Nationally ; During his spare time Mike authored a book called the “Home Run” ; a modernized approach to the development of baseball skills and drills ; Other great achievements in Michael’s career have been: a guest coach with Toronto Blue Jays in 1997, guest coach with Team Canada (Canadian National Youth Team) in 1997, Assistant Coach with Team Canada (Canadian National Youth Team) in 1998 and two time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Coach of the Year (2003 & 2008) ; Mike was also featured in an article published by SLAM Sports written by Bob Elliot ; He was added to an elite list of the top 70 influential Canadians in baseball ; In the summer of 2005 Mike was assistant coach to Team Ontario that won the gold medal at the Canada Summer Games ;
Subject
Niagara Falls Virtual Sports Wall of Fame
Awards
Portraits - Biographical
Sports - Recreation - Leisure